This post was written by one of our Graduate Research Assistants, Tara Ramljak.

Decking the halls this year will come with come with a precaution for employers. In May 2016, President Obama and the Department of Labor enacted a new overtime law that affects salaried and hourly employees. According to the Department of Labor, the salary threshold will rise form $455 per week ($23,660 for a full-year worker) to $913 per week ($47,478 for a full-year worker).[1] The final rule will also automatically update the salary threshold every three years, which increases predictability; strengthen overtime protections for salaried workers already entitled to overtime; and provide greater clarity for workers and employer.[2] This provision to the overtime law is set to take effect December 1, 2016.

Since the passage of the Fair Labor Standards Act, there has been an unkept promise that if employees work over 40…