In December 2019, the Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) approved rules to update our state’s overtime regulations. The new rules update the job duties tests for exempt employees and increase the minimum salary threshold an employee must be paid to qualify for exemption. The changes will affect executive, administrative, and professional (EAP) workers, EAP staff includes individuals with managerial duties, employees completing non-manual office work, and those performing duties that require advanced knowledge in a field of science or learning.

L&I recently released an eLearning tool that explains the new overtime rules and guides employers through a series of questions to help them understand if their employees meet the new requirements to be considered exempt. 

Overtime Rule eLearning Tool

While the new rules take effect on July 1, 2020, the increased salary threshold will not kick in until January 1, 2021 when Washington’s threshold will exceed the federal level.

You can read more about the changes to the rule on the WSDA blog.