SPOKANE — Proposed changes to Washington state’s overtime rules could make more professional workers eligible for time-and-a-half pay.
The Spokesman-Review reported a draft concept by the state Department of Labor and Industries proposes overtime eligibility for workers earning up to $74,800 in 2019.
The proposals are linked to a multiplier of the state’s minimum wage, which will increase to $12 per hour next year and $13.50 per hour in 2020.
Under one of the proposals, professional workers earning up to $37,440 would be eligible for overtime pay when they exceed 40 hours per week.
Department spokesman Matthew Erlich said the draft concept is the first run at updating the rules, which have not been touched since 1976.
He says the rule changes will be refined and subject to public commenting.
