Dear Colleagues,
On September 8, 2023, the Department of Labor announced proposed revisions to the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) which governs exemptions from overtime pay requirements. Significant proposed revisions are to be finalized this month and include substantial increases to the standard exempt salary level. While changes to the FLSA will affect many employee groups on campus, this message is specific to university compliance with any new FLSA revised salary standards for full-time postdoctoral research associates.
Important Points Assuming Implementation is Required
- - The university will have a consistent campus approach to addressing full-time postdoctoral research associate salaries under new FLSA rules.
- Full-time postdoctoral research associate salaries under the new FLSA salary threshold will be increased to the final FLSA salary minimum to maintain FLSA exempt status, which allows salaried compensation without overtime hours consideration.
- Rule finalization is anticipated in April 2024, and the expected increase will be effective at the same time as other FLSA salary threshold actions on a date to be determined, implemented centrally by Illinois Human Resources (IHR) at the appropriate time. IHR is currently working with campus human resources contacts to address other employment categories.
- As the rule is not finalized, we ask that you do not communicate this information to postdoctoral research associates at this time as it is possible for legal challenges to affect implementation. Communication will be managed centrally by IHR as part of the overall university FLSA implementation project at the appropriate time.
- Postdoctoral fellow stipends are not impacted by FLSA.
While there are still several unknowns, we and IHR are committed to keeping you informed.
If you have any questions, please contact:
Deb Stone, Assistant Chancellor for Centers of Expertise
debstone@illinois.edu |217.333.3101
Bryan J. Rojek, Executive Director, Compensation Strategy
bryanjr@illinois.edu |217.333.2136
Adam Austin, Assistant Manager, IHR Compensation Operations
apaustin@illinois.edu | 217.333.2136
Phil Stanton, Assistant Director, HR, Technology Services (on special assignment with IHR)
prstanto@uillinois.edu | 217.244.5037
Sent on behalf of,
Susan Martinis
Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation
Bill Bernhard
Executive Vice Provost for Academic Affairs