ConNiPtioNs

Bush: Working Hard for Big Business

In case you missed Federal Register Volume 68, Number 61, the Bush Administration is making it easier for big business to avoid paying overtime.¹

Bu$hCo even shows employers how to get more workers to qualify for "exemption from minimum wage and overtime pay for executive, administrative, professional, outside sales and computer employees." It goes so far as to give big business four options when employees work more than 40 hours per week and explains that "employers affected by the proposed rule would be expected to choose the most cost-effective compensation adjustment method." (pg 15576)

Of course I fall under one of the exemptions (old rules and new), not that I am concerned about it for myself, but a woman who is a department manager for a retail store with two other employees in her department qualifies for the exemption.² Under the new rules anyone who makes at least $425 a week and has some kind of supervisory duty or a "skill" is exempt.

¹see The Grinch that stole Labor Day by Greg Palast

² Example: If the woman currently earns $10.65/hour over a 40 hour work week she would make $426 (and maybe get 5 vacation days after a year, but that's another story). Under the new 'white collar' exemptions she qualifies as exempt and is not entitled to overtime pay. Or, since she would complain about that, they could give her a new title and make her salaried at, say $450/wk and require that she works six eight-hour days per week.

*** UPDATE ***
Protect Overtime Pay: Tell Your Senators to Block the Bush Overtime Take Away