DOL Considers Revising Overtime Rule

This week, the Department of Labor (DOL) released a request for information to help it formulate a proposal to revise the overtime rule.

Finalized during the Obama Administration, the overtime rule would require many employers to pay overtime to employees who were not previously legally entitled to it.

The rule was originally set to take effect on Dec. 1, 2016, but a federal court judge issued a nationwide injunction temporarily halting the rule in November 2016. The injunction is the result of lawsuits filed by the Big “I,” the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, more than 55 other business groups and 21 state governments. The Big “I” was the only insurance trade association to join this effort.

Since the litigation is still ongoing, the injunction remains in place and the overtime rule has not yet taken effect. As a result, the Trump Administration is reviewing the rule and considering potential changes. The Big “I” will continue to work with the Administration regarding potential changes to the overtime rule. Comments are due to the DOL in September.

More information on the rule, including details about compliance with current overtime laws and the impacts of the Big “I” lawsuit, are available on the Big “I” website. You must log in to view.

Jennifer Webb is Big “I” federal government affairs counsel.