After conducting an initial round of discussions on a proposed overtime rule change regarding the salary exemption, the Department of Labor (DOL) has yet to announce the schedule for eight more meetings that are to include the design/construction community (see, CIRT story on this matter from January 25, 2022). This second set of “listening sessions” are intended to go through the beginning of May.

So far, according to reports, in the earlier round the agency has met with trade associations representing general industry, various PPWO members, and higher education. In all three meetings, stakeholders have uniformly asked the Department to delay any proposed rule, asserting this is not the time for a change. Particularly helpful have been specific examples of how a change in the rules would impact certain occupations and employees’ opportunities for training, career development, and remote work.

Timing of the proposed rule remains unclear as DOL’s stakeholder meetings stretch past the April timeframe. The Spring Regulatory Agenda, which the government should release in the next month or so, may provide more specifics.