The U.S. Dept. of Labor has set a deadline of Sep. 11, 2008, for companies to submit comments on the proposed changes to the Fair Labor Standards Act. Here’s how to comment – and what to focus on.
The FLSA proposals cover 20 pages in the Federal Register, so it’s likely you’ll be interested in only a few parts that pertain to your operation. Best bet: For most organization, scan the proposal and pick out the headings that seem to be relevant. Two of the more broad-based ones to look for, and ones your payroll people will be interested in, too:
- Bonuses and premium payments, and how they affect the overtime-pay status of employees on a fluctuating workweek.
- How stock options are treated as part of compensation.
You can comment to the DOL by mail, but it’ll be faster and easier to go to www.regulations.gov and submit the comments electronically. You can also go to that Web page after Sep. 11 to view comments, whether or not you submit your own.