NASE News

National Association for the Self-Employed Applauds New Overtime Reform Bill

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CONTACT:  Kristofer Eisenla, LUNA+EISENLA media
kristofer@lunaeisenlamedia.com | 202-670-5747 (mobile)

Measure Will Give Small Businesses Effective and Efficient Time to Comply with the New Department of Labor Overtime Rule

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE), the nation’s leading advocate and resource for self-employed and micro-businesses, today voiced its strong support for the Overtime Reform and Enhancement Act, a bill that will update the overtime rules while allowing universities, non-profits, and businesses the necessary time to be able to plan and comply with the new rule.

“Any new rule or regulation will impact a small business’ bottom-line and they should be given fair and adequate time to make the necessary arrangements to comply,” said Katie Vlietstra, Vice President for Government Relations and Public Affairs. “While the Obama Administration’s recently enacted overtime rule will have a significant impact on our nation’s small business community, from costs to labor management, this new measure will allow them a fair opportunity to make the requisite adjustments to comply with the new rule.”

The Overtime Reform and Enhancement Act, introduced and sponsored by Rep. Kurt Schrader (D-OR), would update the Department of Labor’s (DOL) overtime rule giving universities, non-profits, and businesses the necessary time to be able to plan and comply with the new rule.

Vlietstra continued, “As the economic engine of our local and national economies, small businesses must be given time to plan for financial changes to their businesses. The Overtime Reform and Enhancement Act would establish a phasing in of these new regulations over time, and provide businesses an opportunity to comply.  This phased system would guarantee small businesses a fair chance to protect their employees and plan for future regulatory costs. It is essential that a serious new rule such as this gives the small business community adequate time to prepare. We applaud Rep. Schrader for his leadership in introducing this legislation.”

After the initial overtime increase set for December 2016 to $35,984, a three-year annual phase in process initiates to gradually meet the DOL’s new overtime salary threshold. The bill also eliminates the automatic three-year increase to the salary threshold established under the new rule. The bill recognizes that future administrations can and should update the overtime rules, as they are required to under the Fair Labor Standards Act, but limits the ability of the DOL to update the rules on autopilot. This will allow stakeholders to comment on proposed changes and require the DOL to ensure the rules are working as intended.

In May 2016, the Department of Labor announced its final overtime rule, which increases the salary threshold for overtime eligibility by 100% to $47,476.

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The National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE) is the nation's leading resource for the self-employed and micro-businesses, bringing a broad range of benefits to help entrepreneurs succeed and to drive the continued growth of this vital segment of the American economy. The NASE Small Business Locator helps identify and connect our nation’s smallest businesses. In addition, NASE’s new health care portal helps small business owners navigate the nation’s health care marketplace. The NASE is a 501(c) (6) nonprofit organization and provides big-business advantages to hundreds of thousands of micro-businesses across the United States. For more information, visit the association's website at NASE.org