The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has issued a final rule that alters the overtime regulations under the Fair Labor Standards Act. According to a DOL press release, updated rule includes two-tiered increases to the minimum salary threshold and the threshold for highly compensated employees (HCE) as well as automatic updates to both thresholds. The minimum salary threshold will be increased to US$43,888 on July 1 and then to $58,656 on January 1, 2025. This represents more than a 60% increase over the current threshold of $35,568. The HCE threshold will be raised to $132,964 on July 1 and then to $151,164 on January 1, 2025—a 71% increase from the current threshold of $107,432. The updated rule also implements automatic updates to both the minimum salary threshold and the HCE threshold, both of which will be increased every three years. “This rule will restore the promise to workers that if you work more than 40 hours in a week, you should be paid more for that time,” said Julie Su, Acting Secretary of Labor. “Too often, lower-paid salaried workers are doing the same job as their hourly counterparts but are spending more time away from their families for no additional pay. That is unacceptable. The Biden-Harris administration is following through on our promise to raise the bar for workers who help lay the foundation for our economic prosperity.” ISSA submitted comments to the DOL opposing the then proposed final ruling late last year. The association’s comments in opposition to the rulemaking were cited in the final rule. To learn more about this issue and ISSA advocacy, please contact ISSA Director of Government Affairs John Nothdurft.
The U.S. Federal Trade Commission has issued a final rule banning noncompete clauses. Under the FTC’s new rule, existing noncompetes for the vast majority of workers will no longer be enforceable after the rule’s effective date, which is 120 days after its publication in the Federal Register. Existing noncompetes for senior executives—less than 0.75% of workers—can remain in force under the FTC’s final rule, but employers are banned from entering into or attempting to enforce any new noncompetes. According to an FTC press release, estimated 30 million workers—nearly one in five Americans—are subject to a noncompete clause. In a February 2023 letter to Congress, ISSA opposed the FTC’s proposed rule to impose a nationwide ban on noncompete clauses because, according to the coalition letter, the FTC “lacks the constitutional or statutory authority to issue such a rule and, in attempting to do so, the agency is improperly usurping the role of Congress.” The FTC received more than 26,000 public comments in the months leading up to the vote, according to NPR. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has said it will sue the FTC to block the rule for what it views as the agency exceeding its administrative authority, CNN reported. To learn more about this issue and ISSA advocacy, please contact ISSA Director of Government Affairs John Nothdurft.
Registration is now open for the 2024 Business Growth Strategies Conference. Hosted by ISSA, the worldwide cleaning industry association, this year’s conference takes place June 11-13, 2024, at ISSA’s headquarters in Rosemont, Ill. This exclusive three-day event is designed to help building service contractors, residential cleaning companies, and restoration companies become more efficient operationally, grow their business with new sales and marketing techniques, and take advantage the latest innovations. Nearly 20 cleaning industry thought leaders will be on hand to share their wealth of expertise on such topics as enhancing sales techniques, improving worker retention, optimizing performance practices, and other topics designed to boost attendees’ businesses. This special event is limited to the first 100 attendees and by design will be an intimate setting that allows participants to have the experience of learning from some of their most respected peers. “As our industry continues to face significant concerns such as a mounting labor shortage, supply-chain challenges, and increased customer demands, we wanted to offer solutions,” said ISSA Executive Director John Barrett. “This year’s Business Growth Strategies is poised to provide attendees with the tools and skills to operate more efficiently while leveraging new technology in an environment encouraging peer-to-peer networking.” This year’s distinguished keynote speakers collectively bring forth decades of invaluable experience in the cleaning industry. Hear real-world advice from such luminaries as Dean Mercado of Online Marketing Muscle; Ricky Regaldo, CEO and founder of Route; and Debbie Sardone of Debbie Sardone Consulting. The event features several panels on game-changing strategies helmed by professionals from across the cleaning industry supply chain. A complete schedule of speakers and sessions can be found at www.issa.com/BGSschedule. In addition to the unprecedented educational and training opportunities, Business Growth Strategies offers attendees the chance to share success stories with fellow business owners and managers. As part of the event, all attendees are invited to join a special Cleaning & Cocktails Networking Event on June 11. “We really have gone above and beyond with our educational offerings this year for Business Growth Strategies,” said ISSA Chief Global Education Officer Brant Insero. “The panels and presentations we have scheduled will help you supercharge your skillset and take your operations to the next level.” Thanks to the generosity of the Business Growth Strategies event sponsors, all attendees of Business Growth Strategies have access to two exclusive offers. Sunbelt Rentals will provide participants with a coupon to enjoy 15% off any rental (a savings of up to $500) and ThinkLite Air is offering a 30-day, complimentary trial on an indoor air quality (IAQ) monitor. For more information on Business Growth Strategies and to register, visit www.issa.com/BGS.