On 18 Aug 2008 at 11:12, Nikki Peterson - OETX  wrote:

> They keep their own records (see example of paycheck). I have spoken with HR
> of whom ALL agree, the rules are subject to Management interpretation. 
> 
> Yes, I have a valid suit. What a pain-in-the-butt. If I were to bring suit,
> I'd be poison. I'd win and then what? 

Interesting read here:

  Wage, Overtime Exemptions Applicable to Computer-Related Occupations 
  :: WRAL.com
  http://localtechwire.com/business/local_tech_wire/opinion/story/1833338/

------- Included Stuff Follows -------

    ...

    How Do I Determine Whether an Employee Qualifies for Exemption?

    To qualify for the computer employee exemption, the following tests must 
    be met:  

    1. The employee must be compensated either on a salary or fee basis 
    at a rate not less than $455 per week or, if compensated on an hourly 
    basis, at a rate not less than $27.63 per hour;  

    2. The employee must be employed as a computer systems analyst, 
    computer programmer, software engineer, or other similarly skilled 
    worker in the computer field and must perform the duties described 
    below;  

    3. The employee´s primary duty must consist of:  

    (a) The application of systems analysis techniques and 
    procedures, including consulting with users, to determine 
    hardware, software, or system functional specifications;  

    (b) The design, development, documentation, analysis, creation, 
    testing, or modification of computer systems or programs, 
    including prototypes, based on, and related to, user or system 
    design specifications;  

    (c) The design, documentation, testing, creation, or 
    modification of computer programs related to machine operating 
    systems; or  

    (d) A combination of the aforementioned duties, the performance 
    of which requires the same level of skills.  


    Thus, in order to qualify for the computer employee exemption, the 
    employee must meet a compensation requirement and meet a "primary duty" 
    requirement. According to the USDOL, a primary duty is the "principal, 
    main, major or most important duty that the employee performs." Employees 
    who generally spend more than 50 percent of their time performing exempt 
    work generally will meet the primary duty requirement, but the amount of 
    time spent on a duty is not conclusive. For example, the most important 
    duty an employee performs could easily take up only a third of the 
    employee's time and the employee could still qualify for the computer 
    employee exemption.   

    The computer employee exemption also requires that the employee be a 
    systems analyst, programmer, software engineer, or similarly skilled 
    worker. However, the USDOL has stated that "job titles are not 
    determinative of the applicability of the exemption" due to the nature of 
    the ever-changing computer industry. Therefore, employers should focus on 
    whether a particular employee meets the duties test, rather than on the 
    title of the position.  

    ...

    The USDOL has taken the position that employees whose primary duties 
    consist of educating and assisting computer users, such as 
    "troubleshooters" or "help desk" personnel, generally do not qualify for 
    the computer employee exemption. Such employees usually cannot meet the 
    primary duty test of the exemption because their duties do not include 
    actual analysis of the employer's computer systems. Additionally, 
    employees whose work is highly dependent upon, or facilitated by, the use 
    of computers and computer software programs (i.e., engineers, drafters, 
    and others skilled in computer aided design software) are not exempt under 
    the computer employee exemption. Again, such employees generally are not 
    primarily engaged in computer systems analysis and programming or other 
    similarly skilled computer-related occupations identified in the primary 
    duties test described above. Lastly, the computer employee exemption does 
    not include employees engaged in the manufacture or repair of computer 
    hardware and related equipment.  

--------- Included Stuff Ends ---------


~ Finally, powerful endpoint security that ISN'T a resource hog! ~
~ <http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/>  ~

Reply via email to