Applies to: All Employers with OH Employees
Effective: July 6, 2022
SB 47 will align the state’s overtime exemption rules with sections of the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Specifically, the Portal-to-Portal Act, which amended the FLSA, stated that an employer is not required to pay employees overtime wages for regular commuting time, pre or post-work activities, or de minimis time, provided that they occur before employees start or after employees stop their principal work activity. Ohio courts have generally applied the Portal-to-Portal Act to state law, but SB 47 formally makes the rule part of state law.
Notably, the overtime exclusions don’t apply if the employee performs the activity during their regular workday or prescribed hours, at the employer’s specific direction, pursuant to an express contractual obligation, or pursuant to a custom or practice applicable to the activity.
The bill also requires plaintiffs to “opt-in” to join wage and hour lawsuits, eliminating “hybrid” collective/class action lawsuits for Ohio wage and hour claims. Plaintiffs will be required to file their written consent with the court in order to join a lawsuit for state overtime violations.
Action Items
- Review the bill here.
- Review and have timekeeping and payroll procedures updated for compliance.
- Have appropriate personnel trained on applicable requirements.
- Subscribers can call our HR Hotline at (833) 268-5531 for further assistance.
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