Overcome Communication Challenges When Reclassifying Employees
Employers reclassifying employees as nonexempt due to this year’s overtime rule should clearly explain the basis for the change to minimize morale problems resulting from the change. Employers should communicate that reclassification is not a reflection of the quality of the employees’ work or their contributions to the organization, said Keith Kopplin, an attorney with Ogletree Deakins in Milwaukee. “This is simply something required by virtue of a change in the law,” he said. Organizations also could reference the fairness of being paid by the hour and being entitled to overtime, he added. If possible, employers should find ways to minimize the impact of other changes required by reclassification, Kopplin said. For example, employers could use exception timekeeping for employees who work fixed schedules so they are only required to indicate when they deviate from their schedule, instead of recording the start and end of every workday and every unpaid break. Employers should also be ...