Copyright: Ho Yeow Hui
NMHC and NAA expressed support for the “Protecting
Workplace Advancement and Opportunity Act” on April 18, which would block
the Obama Administration’s proposed overtime rule. Introduced in both the
Senate and House by Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) and Representative Tim Walberg
(R-MI), the bill would nullify the overtime rule proposal. The
legislation would also require an economic analysis to be done before moving forward
with a new rule. The rule would impact multifamily because overtime pay would
be determined based only on employees falling below the proposal’s salary
threshold.
In June 2015, the Administration proposed to increase the salary
threshold for white collar workers who are entitled to overtime pay protections
under the Fair Labor Standards Act. Executive, administrative and professional
employees’ overtime pay would be raised in 2016 from $455 a week ($23,660 a
year) to a projected level of $970 a week ($50,440 a year) under the proposal.
The multifamily industry joined with the Partnership to Protect Workplace Opportunity coalition in backing the new legislation through letters to both the House and Senate. Our industry is concerned, in part, that the proposed overtime rule would harm the ability of employers to implement, and employees to take advantage of, flexible scheduling options. The rule could also result in employees being treated differently due to variations in regional cost-of-living. In addition, it could limit career advancement opportunities for employees.
A final rule is expected late this spring or in early summer.
Related Articles
- PPWO Coalition Letter to DOL on Extending Implementation of the Overtime Rule
- Housing Coalition Letter to HUD on Use of PLAs as Prevailing Wage Determination
- NMHC National Multifamily Industry Compensation Survey
- Construction Industry Coalition Letter to House and Senate Judiciary Committees on H-2B Legislation
- PPWO Coalition Letter to DOL on Overtime NPRM Extension