U.S. House Passes Legislation to Delay Overtime Rule

Retailers may have more time to prepare for the U.S. Department of Labor’s new overtime rule if a bill becomes law.

This week, the U.S. House of Representatives voted 246 to 177 in favor of legislation to delay the start date of the overtime rule. This would move the implementation of the new rule from Dec. 1, 2016, to June 1, 2017, according to The National Law Review.

Under the new rules, most workers earning up to $47,476 annually ($913 weekly) would be required to receive overtime pay when working more than 40 hours a week.

Organizations, such as the National Federation of Independent Businesses, support postponing the date the law goes into effect.

The White House has already commented on the bill, stating President Barack Obama would veto the proposal, Reuters reports.

“While this bill seeks to delay implementation, the real goal is clear—delay and then deny overtime pay to workers,” the White House states.

The National Law Review recommends that employers still prepare for the changes to ensure they are compliant by Dec. 1, “given that the legislation does not appear to have sufficient votes to override President Obama’s likely veto.”

In order for the bill, called the Regulatory Relief for Small Businesses, Schools, and Nonprofits Act, to become a law, it must still pass in the Senate and be signed by the president, The National Law Review says.