On Sept. 24, 2019, the United States Department of Labor (DOL) issued a final ruling changing the minimum salary threshold for determining eligibility for overtime pay. The new minimum salary threshold will raise to $35,568 per year for a full-time employee effective Jan. 1, 2020.

This means that a currently classified professional, exempt employee with an annual salary below the new threshold must be paid overtime pay for hours worked in excess of 40 hours per week once the new ruling takes effect. While the duties test for determining exempt versus non-exempt status remains unchanged, the salary threshold change for determining overtime pay eligibility will impact some University employees in professional, exempt positions.

In anticipation of this proposed ruling being approved, Human Resources began this past summer having conversations with supervisors of employees affected by the ruling to discuss positions and their work schedules, and these conversations will be continuing over the next couple of weeks. More information will be shared with affected employees and their supervisors in November.

Additional information about the final ruling, including the DOLs Sept. 24 news release and a DOL frequently asked questions (FAQ) sheet, can be accessed on the United States Department of Labors website at https://www.dol.gov/whd/overtime2019/.

Questions concerning the new ruling should be directed to Human Resources at (573) 651-2206.