Client Alert

Final Overtime Rule

By: Angel Berberena, Esq.


September 25, 2019

 
The U.S. Department of Labor (US DOL) updated and revised the overtime rule issued under the Fair Labor Standards Act implementing the exceptions from minimum wage and overtime pay requirements for executives, administrative, professional, outside sales, and computer employees. The final rule, to become effective on January 1, 2020, updates the earnings thresholds necessary to exempt executive, administrative, or professional employees from the FLSA's minimum wage and overtime pay requirements, and allows employers to count a portion of certain bonuses/commissions towards meeting the salary level. In the final rule, the US DOL:
 
  • raises the "standard salary level" from the currently enforced level of $455 to $684 per week (equivalent to $35,568 per year for a full-year worker);
  • increases the total annual compensation level for "highly compensated employees (HCE)" from the currently-enforced level of $100,000 to $107,432 per year;
  • allows employers to use nondiscretionary bonuses and incentive payments (including commissions) that are paid at least annually to satisfy up to 10 percent of the standard salary level, in recognition of evolving pay practices; and
  • revises the special salary levels for workers in U.S. territories and in the motion picture industry.
Regarding Puerto Rico, the US DOL sets a special salary level of $455 per week[1]. It is the US DOL position that the Puerto Rico Oversight, Management, and Economic Stability Act (PROMESA)[2] does not apply to this final rule as it is a new rulemaking not related to the 2015 overtime rule within the meaning of PROMESA. However, Section 404 of PROMESA reflected Congress's apprehension with increasing the salary level in Puerto Rico, and given the current economic climate, the US DOL proposed to set a special salary level in Puerto Rico of $455 per week-the level that currently applies under PROMESA.

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[1] The special salary tests do not apply to employees of the Federal government employed in Puerto Rico.
[2] Pub. L. 114-187, 130 Stat. 549 (June 30, 2016)


Goldman Antonetti & Córdova, LLC stands ready to assist you and your business to adjust to Puerto Rico's regulatory and legal changes. If you need further assistance in this area, please contact any of the following members of our firm:



Angel Berberena
aberberena@gaclaw.com
787.759.4143
Luis Antonetti
lantonetti@gaclaw.com
787.759-4111
Vicente Antonetti
vantonetti@gaclaw.com
787.759.4112
Romel Meléndez
rmelendez@gaclaw.com
787.759.4115
Luis Ortiz Abreu
lortiz@gaclaw.com
787.759.4110
Howard Pravda
hpravda@gaclaw.com
787.759.4101
Gabriel Quintero
gquintero@gaclaw.com
787.759.4130
Jorge Rodíguez Micheo
jrodriguez-micheo@gaclaw.com
787.759.4102
Javier Vazquez
jvazquez@gaclaw.com
787.759.4113

                  


DisclaimerAlthough the information included in this document may concern legal issues, it is not a legal opinion or professional advice and clients shall not use it as such. We assume no responsibility or liability of any kind for any information contained herein, and we expressly disclaim all liability for any claim for damages arising from the use, reference to, or reliance on, such information. If legal or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought.