DOL's Exempt Status Regulations Define and Clarify Who Must Receive Overtime Pay

As we reported last week, on April 20, 2004, the United States Department of Labor (DOL) issued new exempt status regulations relating to Executive, Administrative, Professional, Outside Sales and Computer Employees under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The regulations update, clarify, and in some cases, redefine those employees whose job duties, minimum salaries and payment methods qualify for an exemption from the overtime pay requirements of the FLSA. Collectively, the five exemptions are known as the “white-collar” exemptions to the FLSA, and can be found in 29 C.F.R. Part 541.