The U.S. Department of Labor ("DOL") has released a much anticipated Final Rule updating its regulation that defines the Fair Labor Standards Act ("FLSA") overtime exemptions for Executive, Administrative, Professional, and Highly Compensated Employees. According to DOL, the Final Rule extends overtime pay to an estimated 4.2 million workers and ensures the FLSA's overtime protections are fully implemented.  The Proposed Rule drew wide attention from employers, resulting in more than 270,000 public comments.  The Final Rule goes into effect on December 1, 2016, and there are a number of issues employers should consider in preparing for implementation. 

Time Is Money:  DOL last updated the Executive, Administrative, and Professional ("EAP") exemption salary levels in 2004.  The Final Rule increases the minimum salary level for the EAP exemptions from $23,660.00 annually ($455.00 per week) to $47,476.00 ($913.00 per week).  The new EAP salary levels were determined based on a formula developed by DOL.  The Highly Compensated Employee ("HCE") exemption salary threshold will also increase from $100,000.00 annually to $134,004.00, using a similar formula. 

Change Is the Only Constant:  In addition to raising exemption salary thresholds, the Final Rule includes a mechanism that periodically revises the exemption salary thresholds without amending the entire regulation.  The salary thresholds provided in the Final Rule will be in effect until December 31, 2019.  DOL will use the salary threshold formulas to recalculate and implement new mandatory salary levels on January 1, 2020 and revise the levels every three (3) years thereafter.  DOL will publish the updated rates at least 150 days prior to implementation. 

Prepare For the Unexpected:  While not included in the Proposed Rule, the Final Rule, somewhat surprisingly, permits employers to count nondiscretionary bonuses and incentive payments, including commissions, toward up to ten percent (10%) of the EAP exemption salary thresholds.  These payments may include bonuses linked to productivity and profitability.  In order to count toward the EAP salary exemption threshold, the nondiscretionary bonuses and incentive payments must be paid on at least a quarterly basis.  Employers can also make a "catch-up" payment at the end of a quarter in the event an EAP employee does not earn enough in nondiscretionary bonuses and incentive payments to retain exempt status.  The Final Rule continues to allow nondiscretionary bonuses and incentive payments to count toward the salary exemption threshold for HCEs but also mandates that HCEs receive at least the full standard salary amount ($913.00 per week), free and clear of any nondiscretionary bonuses and incentive payments. 

Everything Old Is New Again:  The Final Rule does not change the existing "Duties Tests" for the Executive, Administrative, Professional, or Highly Compensated Employee exempt categories.  DOL also confirmed that as in the past, employees must meet each of the following tests in order to qualify for the EAP overtime exemptions:  "(1) the employee must be paid a predetermined and fixed salary that is not subject to reduction because of variations in the quality or quantity of work performed; (2) the amount of salary paid must meet a minimum specified amount; and (3) the employee's job duties must primarily involve executive, administrative, or professional duties as defined by the regulations."

The Next Steps:  The Final Rule makes fairly drastic changes to the FLSA, and employers should consider a number of legal and practical strategies in implementing the new regulation.  First, employers may want to conduct a self-audit to determine who will be affected by the Final Rule.  Employers will have to consider whether to continue to treat affected employees as exempt and raise their salary to the new mandatory minimum, or to allow the employee to become eligible for overtime pay.  The Final Rule may also necessitate review and revisions to employer overtime policies.  Revising handbook policies to restrict hours and overtime work may minimize negative financial impact resulting from the Final Rule.  Finally, employers should consider training employees on the procedures and importance of accurate recordkeeping.  After December 1, 2016, businesses will likely have large numbers of employees who either have never tracked their hours or have not done so in a number of years because of their FLSA exempt status.  Management training will be beneficial as employees prepare for adjustments to comply with the law.