Actually, the rules cut both ways, some professionals were exempted but the pay rate below which everyone is overtime elligible was greatly increased. At my institution, this resulted in a significant increase in the numbers of overtime elligible employees. It is typically those at the lower end of the payscale that are forced to rely on overtime. In addition, we were informed by counsel that the mood at DOL was such that we should be prepared to vigorously defend any decisions resulting in the loss of elligibility. Just my two cents.
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My opinions should not be taken as legal advice and I do not speak for my employer.