Change to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)

UPDATE AS OF NOVEMBER 14, 2019

On September 24, 2019, the DOL announced the final rule increasing the salary threshold for exemption to the FLSA from $455 per week to $684 per week (lower than originally proposed.) The UCs will retain the higher FLSA salary threshold of $913 per week for staff positions, as implemented in December 2016. For information regarding academic positions, visit https://ap.uci.edu/compensation/flsa

On August 31, 2017, a federal district judge struck down the Department of Labor (DOL)’s May 2016 change to the FLSA’s salary threshold for exempt employees. While employers were no longer required to meet the new salary threshold, UCI implemented the change on December 1, 2016 (see the page sections below for complete information.)

WHAT

On May 18, 2016, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced a change to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) which, among other things, sets overtime regulations for U.S. workers. The change affects who is eligible for exemption from the overtime provisions of the Act (also known as “exempt employees”.) On December 1, 2016, the salary threshold for white-collar exemptions to the FLSA will increase from $455 per week to $913 per week.

What does this mean for UCI staff? Some exempt monthly paid employees will no longer qualify for exemption from the FLSA and will become non-exempt biweekly paid employees. Here’s why. Currently, in order to be exempt from the FLSA, a position must generally satisfy three tests: (1) perform exempt duties, (2) be paid on a salary basis*, and (3) be paid at least $455/week. It’s the last of the three tests that is changing.

Starting December 1, 2016, to be exempt, a position must be paid at least $913/week. This means exempt employees who are paid below $913/week on December 1, 2016, will no longer qualify for exemption and will have to be reclassified to non-exempt. Under the FLSA, non-exempt employees are required to maintain records of all hours worked, which means these employees will have to complete timesheets. In addition, at UCI, non-exempt employees are paid on a biweekly basis (every two weeks) rather than a monthly basis (once a month.)

* Predetermined amount of compensation each pay period that generally cannot be reduced because of variations in the quality or quantity of the employee’s work.

WHO

The new FLSA salary threshold applies to staff*. The following exempt titles have pay range minimums that fall below the new FLSA salary threshold; therefore, these classifications and their incumbents will be reclassified to non-exempt.

  • Senior Grounds Supervisor (Staff)
  • Senior Recreation Supervisor (Staff)
  • Senior Custodian Supervisor (Staff)
  • Part-Time Employees Below the New Salary Threshold
    (see below for details)

*The salary level test does not apply to certain professionals, including: professors, lecturers, tutors and other teachers whose primary duty is teaching; athletic coaches and assistant coaches if their primary duty is teaching and instructing athletes; undergraduate/graduate students engaged in research or extracurricular activities as they are not considered by DOL as employees; doctors and attorneys.

PART-TIME EMPLOYEES BELOW THE NEW SALARY THRESHOLD

In addition to the titles mentioned above, part-time employees currently classified as FLSA exempt whose salaries fall below the new salary threshold of $913 per week will be reclassified to non-exempt. Actual salaries must be used. A calculator is provided to help part-time employees determine whether or not their salary falls below the new FLSA salary threshold.

MONTHLY pay rate:
Appointment % time:
(between 1 and 100)

FOR AFFECTED EMPLOYEES

IMPORTANT DATES

  • Last monthy paycheck
  • Pay covers 11/1 to 11/19
  • Full benefit deductions for December 2016*
  • 1st biweekly paycheck
  • Pay covers 11/20 to 12/3
  • First ½ benefit deductions for January 2017*
  • 2nd biweekly paycheck
  • Pay covers 12/4 to 12/17
  • Second ½ benefit deductions for January 2017*

* See PPT for example calculations.

Financial Assistance –
Vacation Cash Out
and Emergency Loans

IMPORTANT CHANGES

Biweekly paid:

Non-exempt employees are paid on a biweekly basis READ MORE

Initial Conversion:

Transition to non-exempt, biweekly pay in December may cause financial impact READ MORE

TIME REPORTING/
OVERTIME ELIGIBLE:

Non-exempt employees are required to record all time worked and be paid a premium rate for overtime workREAD MORE

PAYROLL DEDUCTIONS:

Changes to deductions READ MORE

QUESTIONS? Please contact your supervisor/ manager or department HR or Academic Personnel representative.