White House announces new Department of Labor Regulations for Home Care workers. Nacht Law Attorneys Ann Arbor Michigan

White House Announces New Department of Labor Regulations for Home Care Workers.

Posted by: David Blanchard
December 15, 2011
Topic: Comments

A New York Times article reported today suggests that revisions to overtime and other regulations under the Fair Labor Standards Act may be in the works. A decades old exemption to the FLSA designed to protect nannies, maids, and babysitters will likely be revised or eliminated in order to extend FLSA protection for home health care workers. Home health care work is one of the fastest growing sectors in Michigan and across the nation. In central Michigan especially thousands of people work in the industry, where demographics lead to long drive times to and from home-bound consumers. One possibility for the new regulations would be to require compensation for certain drive times, and overtime pay where applicable. The change will make a significant impact for the income in thousands of households.

Today's article quotes Mid-Michigan Congressman Tim Wahlberg, who claims that despite a lift it would bring for many home care workers in his district, he opposes Fair Labor Standards coverage for home care workers, based on the burden for home care employers, consumers, or tax dollars. The proposed changes, whatever form they take, will have to go through an extensive "notice and comment" period before their adoption. Hopefully a balance can be struck that addresses the business concerns while still advancing the concept of fair pay for home care workers.

White House Announces New Department of Labor Regulations for Home Care Workers.