In May, the U.S. Department of Labor released new regulations that employers, including academic institutions like Syracuse University, must adopt to comply with the updated Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The intent of the revised federal law is to provide greater clarity for employees as it relates to eligibility for overtime pay.
While the federal government’s regulatory changes do not take effect until December 1, 2016, the Office of Human Resources has been in ongoing communications with University leaders about the new rule and how it will affect current staff members. This rule does not apply to faculty or adjunct faculty. As part of the new regulations, some employees will be reclassified from exempt (salaried and not eligible for overtime) to non-exempt (eligible for overtime) status based on federal provisions for job classifications.
As the regulation examinations are underway, the University has proactively decided to extend current benefit status for exempt employees who will be reclassified as non-exempt. This means any staff member who is reclassified as a non-exempt employee will retain the vacation, sick time, disability benefits and parking lot status associated with the exempt classification. Moving forward, new employees will be eligible for benefits associated with the position for which they are hired, or reclassified if they move into a different position.
“While this move is not required by the law, this action demonstrates an exceptional commitment to our employees and affords benefit consistency to any transitioning staff,” says Andrew R. Gordon, senior vice president and chief human resources officer. “Our Human Resources team is thoroughly analyzing the Department of Labor’s new job classifications to determine staff members who may now be allowed to receive overtime pay.”
Gordon says that the Human Resources team is continuing to meet with University leadership, including deans, directors and department heads, to interpret the FLSA changes and ensure the University is compliant with all federal regulations. Employees who are affected by the new law will be personally notified this fall in advance of the December 1 effective date.
Additional information will be forthcoming as the analysis of positions progresses. Employees who have immediate questions about the new regulations or their current benefits are encouraged to contact the Office of Human Resources at 315.443.4042 or via email at hrservic@syr.edu.
To see highlights of this new change, view this infographic.
William Pelton and Mary Jane Massie have created the Barringer Pelton Public Service Graduate Scholarship to honor their niece, Jody Barringer ’95, L’98, G’08 (M.P.A.), and support future public servants. After working for a few years as an attorney focused…
Nearly 4,300 new undergraduate students arrived on campus this week, many of them with families and cars filled to the brim. As families help their children settle into their home away from home, they’re also sharing advice for the year…
With a GoPro strapped to his helmet and a microphone clipped to his bike, Chaz Antoine Barracks spent the summer pedaling through Homer, New York, transforming everyday encounters into both scholarship and art. The filmmaker, media scholar and postdoctoral fellow…
Late August in Central New York not only means the return of students to the Syracuse University campus, but also the return of the New York State Fair. The fair is a 13-day festival of entertainment, agricultural exhibitions, cultural performances…
On Aug. 14, the Department of Public Safety (DPS) welcomed families, friends and colleagues of the 9th Peace Officer Academy recruits to a graduation event. The ceremony, held at Drumlins Country Club, was the perfect culmination of their accomplishments over…
If you need help with your subscription, contact sunews@syr.edu.
