More feds could get overtime pay with new rule

The proposed rule would increase the threshold for salaried workers eligible to receive overtime pay from the current standard of $455 a week to $970 a week, or approximately $50,440 a year. The rule would also peg the threshold to consumer indexes to keep up with inflation.

Federal Times Blog: Legal Matters — Overtime Pay and Leave

President Obama will be officially announcing the proposal during a trip to Wisconsin this week.

During a call with reporters announcing the new rule, Cecilia Muñoz, director of the Domestic Policy Council, said the administration plans to include federal workers in the new policy.

"The White House is fully in compliance with the applicable laws and regulations now," Muñoz said. "So we'll be doing what other employers will do, which is to review our practices to make sure we're in compliance with this rule" if it becomes final.

If the rule is implemented, the Office of Personnel Management would be expected to update its policies, as well, to stay in line with current labor regulations.

Federal Times Blog: Retirement — Overtime Pay

"Obviously, we think this is the right thing for workers and for the workforce and so we're looking forward to it being implemented across the workforce, all across the country, including the federal government," Muñoz said.

The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) agrees, saying in a statement that the threshold increase is long overdue.

While the government is not under a strict requirement to follow rules for the commercial sector, "We expect, and certainly will urge, OPM to enact a similar regulation for federal employees," an AFGE official said in an email to Federal Times, pointing out that federal employees are under the current standard for overtime pay.

The Department of Labor is finishing the first draft of the proposed rule, which is expected to be on the Federal Register for comment sooner than later.

"I think it's abundantly clear that it's in the interest of American workers and of supporting the middle class," Muñoz said. "We think ultimately the support for this action will be strong and we're looking forward to the rule going final next year."

About Aaron Boyd

Aaron Boyd is an awarding-winning journalist currently serving as editor of Federal Times — a Washington, D.C. institution covering federal workforce and contracting for more than 50 years — and Fifth Domain — a news and information hub focused on cybersecurity and cyberwar from a civilian, military and international perspective.