Tag Archives: executive exemption

Today’s burning question: We are losing senior instructors from our fire academy because they are being promoted to Battalion Chiefs (or higher), at which point we cannot compensate them to teach on their days off… not even straight time. I am told this is because they are exempt under the FLSA but cannot find any legal clarification that explains what is going on. Why can’t we at least pay these officers straight time to come back and teach on their days off?

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Today’s burning question: Are battalion chiefs considered to be exempt executives under the FLSA and not eligible for overtime? Answer: That is the key question in a recently filed suit out of Vancouver, Washington. Eight current and former Vancouver battalion chiefs are suing the department

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After losing at the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals, Fairfax County has opted to cut its losses and settle a Fair Labor Standards Act lawsuit with 174 fire captains for $7.85 million. The county had long considered the captains to ...

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A federal judge in Texas has issued a preliminary injunction against the implementation of new overtime rules for exempt white-collar employees that were set to take effect on December 1, 2016. What the ruling means to fire departments really depends on the department. For most fire departments, the ruling...

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Today’s burning question: I heard a rumor that there are some new overtime rules coming out soon. Will these new rules have an impact on fire departments? Answer: That is a great question, and one I get asked a lot these days.

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Today’s burning question: Your book says that officers assigned to a shift are considered hourly employees. I heard the 11th Circuit recently decided a case that says they are not. What gives? Answer: Would you believe my book is right and the 11th Circuit is wrong?

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The city of Pittsburgh has settled a class action lawsuit filed in federal court by fire officers claiming they were wrongfully denied overtime compensation. The suit was originally brought last August by Deputy Chief Harry Scherer, Battalion Chief Robert Cox ...

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Three ranking officers of the Pittsburgh Fire Bureau have filed suit under the Fair Labor Standards Act claiming that PFB officers have been wrongfully denied overtime compensation. Deputy Chief Harry Scherer, Battalion Chief Robert Cox and Captain Edmund J. Farley ...

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