FEDERAL JUDGE TEMPORARILY BLOCKS NEW OVERTIME RULES

As we noted in previous bulletins, new Department of Labor regulations were slated to take effect on December 1, 2016.  They would have nearly doubled the minimum salary required for certain employees to be exempt from the FLSA’s overtime requirements.

But late yesterday, a federal judge in Texas granted a nationwide preliminary injunction temporarily blocking the new regulations.  The plaintiffs—twenty one states and various business organizations—argued the DOL had exceeded its rulemaking authority.  The court’s ruling bars the DOL from implementing and enforcing the new regulations until the court orders otherwise.  The DOL has not yet indicated whether it will appeal.  But for now, the current $23,660 salary basis remains in effect nationwide.