Ok, I'm one of those effected by the rule change/rule suspension. Before I answer any of the questions, a bit of background for lack of a better word.
For the company I work for, they figured out basically what the hourly wage would be (salary÷hours worked) to figure out an hourly wage. Pretty basic, right? My salary is based on a 45 hour work week. Anything over that we get what's called "fluctuating overtime". If anyone working long enough to remember Chinese overtime, that's what I have right this second. So when my boss was on vacation and I worked 53 hours, I got 8 hours of Chinese overtime plus my salary.
With the new rule, I'd be straight hourly. But I would not be allowed to work more than 46 hours a week. So in essence my pay would not change. They were adamant that it changes nothing about my duties and responsibilities. Except that I'm getting the same hourly rate as the people I directly supervise. And now I have work am average of 2 less hours a week.
First of all, I'd be making the same hourly rate as the people I directly supervise. Yes, I have more responsibilities. Yes, I work more hours and have benefits (that I pay for). But at the same $/hr as my employees. So that kinda hurts my morale a little.
And they're going to be limiting how much I can work. Right now, I can say to my boss I have this or that coming up. Can I work more to get extra money for it? Or my boss will say she had this or that coming up, can I work an extra shift for her? And I'll say sure. We no longer have that option.
It's usually not work overtime or your fired. Most people in food service know it's not a get rich career. Which means most of the time when am extra shift comes available, it gets covered quick.
The way the Healthcare laws are set up now, everyone became part time except for salary managers (like me). Nobody works more than 35 hours so the company won't have to pay benefits. With the hourly rule change, I will be getting 5 hours of overtime a week. 5,that's it. No more. I'd say no less, but the last time I worked less than 45 hours was last year when there was a blizzard that closed is Friday night and Saturday. In other words, I'll be making less money because I won't be working as many hours.
The nice HR lady explained it to me as a way to improve work life balance. Well, that's nice. But I am perfectly capable of knowing what I need and getting my balance. It's really them working their ass off to make sure they don't have to pay me more. The same way the ACA made sure no hourly employees can work 40 hours.
I know some even here will say this line of thought is against my best interest. I see where they'd say that and there's a logic behind it. But in practice it just doesn't work that way. I'll be happy to answer questions about it.
