Small businesses seek delay of overtime rule

The National Federation of Independent Business yesterday called on the U.S. Labor Department to delay a new overtime rule slated to take effect Dec. 1.

“In many cases, small businesses must reorganize their work forces and implement new systems for tracking hours, record keeping and reporting,” NFIB president Juanita Duggan said. “They can’t just flip a switch and be in compliance.”

The group seeks a delay in implementing the new rule until June 1.  

David Weil, administrator of the Labor Department's wage and hour division, said officials provided businesses 190 days to comply, "more than three times what’s legally required."

Announced in May, the rule would double the threshold at which executive, administrative and professional employees are exempt from overtime pay to $47,476.

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