New federal rules could make some low-wage workers in Washington eligible for overtime pay, according to the state’s Department of Labor and Industries.
Other than that, it’s not clear what effect the new overtime rules will have when they take effect on Monday, Labor and Industries spokesman Ron Langley said. “We’re just not exactly sure.”
Washington is one of 18 states that has adopted its own overtime rules, which are similar to the old federal rules.
Given that, employers are obligated to follow the rules that are most beneficial to workers, Langley said.
That means that one of the more controversial parts of the new federal rules – a new cap that means white-collar workers earning more than $100,000 a year can be exempted from overtime pay – doesn’t apply in Washington.
On the other hand, new federal rules that make more low-wage workers able to get overtime pay will apply here, because in that case the new rules benefit employees, Langley said.
Under the new rules, workers must make more than $455 a week, or about $23,000 a year, before they can be denied overtime. Under the old rule, anyone making more than $250 a week, or $13,000 a year, could be denied.
Overtime exemptions must be determined on a case-by-case basis, according to the Department of Labor and Industries. That makes it hard to estimate overall impact statewide, Langley said. “It depends on how employers choose to respond.”
The rules do not affect blue-collar workers including laborers, those in the construction trades, production workers and park rangers. They also do not apply to police and firefighters, paramedics and other public safety workers who perform physical duties at the scene of emergencies.
Reporter Bryan Corliss: 425-339-3454 or corliss@heraldnet.com.
On the Web
More information about the new federal overtime rules and their application in Washington state is available at www.lni.wa.gov under the heading Overtime &Exemptions.
On the Web
More information about how the new federal overtime rules apply in Washington state is available online at www.lni.wa.gov, under the heading of “Overtime &Exemptions.”
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