Non Exempt position

A non-exempt position is a job position where the employee is not exempt from the overtime provisions of FLSA (Fair Labours Standard Act) and is entitled to overtime pay if they work more than 40 hours per week. FLSA acts were amended on Jan 1, 2020. Nonexempt employees are paid 1.5 times the hourly rate when they work overtime. These positions are usually based on hourly rates. 

The average salary of an exempt employee is $35,000 per annum, and typically non-exempt positions are given less pay. But it depends on different factors, and the wages of nonexempt employees will be increased in 2022.

The Fair Labor Standards Act, signed into law by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1938, establishes minimum wage, overtime pay eligibility, and record-keeping standards, as well as youth employment guidelines for both the private and public sectors. Child labor was the norm when the act was signed, and adults frequently worked more than 10 hours per day, six to seven days per week.

Characters of non-exempt positions

Higher authorities generally supervise employees in non-exempt positions. They are expected to dutifully carry out orders from higher authorities without interfering in management decisions. They can also be salaried and nonexempt. They can receive a weekly salary until and unless it satisfies the minimum wage requirements.

Who is not considered non-exempt employees?

Executives, administrative personnel, computer workers, teachers, and employees outside sales roles cannot be considered non-exempt employees. These positions are known as exempt positions. Nonexempt positions usually contain physical labor and repetitive tasks such as construction, maintenance, and so on.

Distinctions of nonexempt employees

There are a few distinctions and characteristics of non-exempt employees.

• They don’t earn fixed salaries but work on hourly wages.
• A position might be considered non-exempt if the employee earns less than $684 per week.
• Nonexempt employees have fewer chances for self-supervision and independent judgment. Other higher authorities generally supervise them.

Advantages of non-exempt positions:-

1. Nonexempt employees receive additional compensations for working long hours and overtime, whereas exempt employees are paid and expected to complete the tasks assigned to them, whether it takes 30 or 50 hours. 
2. Nonexempt employees receive more protection under the laws of FLSA, whereas exempt employees are not entitled to the same. 

Disadvantages of nonexempt positions compared to exempt positions:-

1. Exempt employees receive a paycheck even when they work remotely, whereas non-exempt employees need to be physically present at work and clock their working hours. For example, if construction is stopped, nonexempt positions are closed, and they don’t receive a salary.
2. Nonexempt employees don’t get paid time off, not entitled to retirement benefits and health insurance.

Is it better to be a nonexempt or exempt employee?

There is no straight answer to this question; it depends on the job, educational background, etc. While non-exempt positions are not entitled to benefits like higher salaries, freedom of decision, and health insurance, exempt employees don’t get compensated for the extra hours.