It used to be that if your boss asked you to put in extra hours at work, you got overtime pay in return. There was an exemption for managers and professional employees, but only for workers who were both highly paid and who had specific management responsibilities or professional roles. Those protections ensured that most workers didn’t have to work excessive hours – and that if they did, they would receive extra pay to make up for it.
The Trump administration just finalized a rule that would only allow white collar workers to be eligible for overtime pay if you earn less than about $35,000 per year. That means retail and fast food managers are missing out on overtime pay and working 50, 60 or 70 hours a week without overtime compensation, losing time with their families and wages. This is unacceptable.