As previously mentioned, on November 22, 2016, U.S. District Court Judge Amos Mazzant granted an Emergency Motion for Preliminary Injunction and thereby enjoined the Department of Labor from implementing and enforcing the Overtime Final Rule on December 1, 2016. The case was heard in the United States District Court, Eastern District of Texas, Sherman Division (State of Nevada ET AL v. United States Department of Labor ET AL No: 4:16-CV-00731). The rule updated the standard salary level.
On December 1, 2016, the Department of Justice on behalf of the Department of Labor filed a notice to appeal the preliminary injunction to the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.
On February 22, 2017, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit granted a request by the Department of Justice for an extension of time of sixty days, until May 1, 2017, in which to file its reply brief. The additional time was requested on behalf of the Department of Labor “to allow incoming leadership personnel adequate time to consider the issues.” Nevada v. DOL, No. 16-41606, Motion For Extension to File Reply (Feb. 17, 2017).
What does this mean? It is unknown whether the final rules will be implemented. However, given the recent publicity, it would be wise for business owners and managers to continue to evaluate whether workers are properly classified as exempt and non-exempt.
Need help understanding overtime rules? Be sure to contact The HR Team.
