Opinion: Overtime hike? Knock it off

0

We’re certain you read or heard the recent report about the Obama administration’s madcap plan to increase the eligibility for overtime compensation to approximately five million additional Americans. The notion struck us more severely than an exposed tooth nerve. Businesses and industry groups felt much the same, admonishing the administration with regard to the potential for shortened work hours and receding job growth; employers will look for ways to cap costs, as it is simply smart business to do so. President Barack Obama’s plan would increase the salary limit that generally defines who is eligible for overtime wages to $970 a week, or about $50,400 a year. That would be more than double the current threshold of $455 a week, set in 2004. This is the president’s nirvana of his executive order issued in 2014 to “bring current” the overtime regulations weakened by years of inflation. Such a move would adversely affect small business, especially. If that would mean managers would become eligible for OT pay, and – poof – there goes the budget if it happens. And then would come the cuts. It’s total nonsense. No business owner or manager would be able to wave the magic wand and accommodate this without major budget revision. What we’d all be staring at is even more part-time positions (see Obamacare, thank you), and that’s not how it’s supposed to be. This is just another volley of folly from the White House. It’s just not a smart move, and if it comes to pass it will be more damaging than that which was intended.

* * *

This made us laugh out loud: Fox News Latino said last week The New York Times quoted an employee of the state-run newspaper in Cuba accusing presidential candidate Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) of spreading “propaganda.” That is rich! It could be fodder for a “Saturday Night Live” skit.

Share.

Opinion: Overtime hike? Knock it off

0

We’re certain you read or heard the recent report about the Obama administration’s madcap plan to increase the eligibility for overtime compensation to approximately five million additional Americans. The notion struck us more severely than an exposed tooth nerve. Businesses and industry groups felt much the same, admonishing the administration with regard to the potential for shortened work hours and receding job growth; employers will look for ways to cap costs, as it is simply smart business to do so. President Barack Obama’s plan would increase the salary limit that generally defines who is eligible for overtime wages to $970 a week, or about $50,400 a year. That would be more than double the current threshold of $455 a week, set in 2004. This is the president’s nirvana of his executive order issued in 2014 to “bring current” the overtime regulations weakened by years of inflation. Such a move would adversely affect small business, especially. If that would mean managers would become eligible for OT pay, and – poof – there goes the budget if it happens. And then would come the cuts. It’s total nonsense. No business owner or manager would be able to wave the magic wand and accommodate this without major budget revision. What we’d all be staring at is even more part-time positions (see Obamacare, thank you), and that’s not how it’s supposed to be. This is just another volley of folly from the White House. It’s just not a smart move, and if it comes to pass it will be more damaging than that which was intended.

* * *

This made us laugh out loud: Fox News Latino said last week The New York Times quoted an employee of the state-run newspaper in Cuba accusing presidential candidate Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) of spreading “propaganda.” That is rich! It could be fodder for a “Saturday Night Live” skit.

Share.

Opinion: Overtime hike? Knock it off

0

 

We’re certain you read or heard the recent report about the Obama administration’s madcap plan to increase the eligibility for overtime compensation to approximately five million additional Americans. The notion struck us more severely than an exposed tooth nerve. Businesses and industry groups felt much the same, admonishing the administration with regard to the potential for shortened work hours and receding job growth; employers will look for ways to cap costs, as it is simply smart business to do so. President Barack Obama’s plan would increase the salary limit that generally defines who is eligible for overtime wages to $970 a week, or about $50,400 a year. That would be more than double the current threshold of $455 a week, set in 2004. This is the president’s nirvana of his executive order issued in 2014 to “bring current” the overtime regulations weakened by years of inflation. Such a move would adversely affect small business, especially. If that would mean managers would become eligible for OT pay, and – poof – there goes the budget if it happens. And then would come the cuts. It’s total nonsense. No business owner or manager would be able to wave the magic wand and accommodate this without major budget revision. What we’d all be staring at is even more part-time positions (see Obamacare, thank you), and that’s not how it’s supposed to be. This is just another volley of folly from the White House. It’s just not a smart move, and if it comes to pass it will be more damaging than that which was intended.

* * *

This made us laugh out loud: Fox News Latino said last week The New York Times quoted an employee of the state-run newspaper in Cuba accusing presidential candidate Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) of spreading “propaganda.” That is rich! It could be fodder for a “Saturday Night Live” skit.

Share.