Michigan Joins Quest to Block New Overtime Rule, by Jason Shinn, Michigan Employment Law Advisor Blog

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The new overtime rule proposed by the Department of Labor is definitely one to watch. Its impact on employee and employer alike is significant.

How will it impact paralegals? As a profession, we began as exempt professionals, and not eligible for overtime. The Department of Labor eventually determined that paralegals were non-exempt because we work under the direct supervision of lawyers, and do not make independent decisions. Personally, I prefer being considered as an exempt professional, but not all paralegals share my opinion.

 A more detailed explanation of the history of the Department of Labor and the paralegal professional can be found here: https://www.paralegals.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3304. -CCE

On September 20, 2016, Michigan joined 20 other states in filing a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) to block a new overtime rule that goes into effect on December 1, 2016. Here is a link to the complaint Nevada v. Labor Dept., (9/20/16).

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DOL’s Rule Expands Eligibility for Overtime Pay

The DOL’s overtime rule would more than double the salary threshold, up to about $47,500, under which workers are automatically entitled to overtime pay. This rule focuses on shrinking what is referred to as the ‘white collar exemption,’ which exempts employees who perform ‘executive, administrative or professional’ duties from overtime and minimum wage requirements.