The U.S. Department of Labor recently implemented new rules defining which workers must be paid overtime and the criteria that employers must meet to legally exempt an employee from overtime pay. The State of Washington has rules governing overtime as well. Because state rules have not changed, employers need to review the status of their workers against the new federal rules, then follow whichever rule (state or federal) is most beneficial to the employee in each case.

The website www.LNI.wa.gov has answers to frequently asked questions, fact sheets, phone numbers and e-mail addresses to contact L&I and the U.S. Department of Labor for help.