Compensation Requirements

Jury Duty, Military Leave and Serving as a Witness

In addition to meeting certain duties tests, to qualify for exemption under the Regulations, Part 541, generally an employee must be paid at a rate of not less than $455 per week on a salary basis. As a general rule, if the exempt employee performs any work during the workweek, he or she must be paid the full salary amount. An employer may not make deductions from an exempt employee's pay for absences caused by the employer or by the operating requirements of the business. If the exempt employee is ready, willing and able to work, deductions from the exempt employee's pay may not be made when no work is available.

An employer cannot make deductions for absences of an exempt employee due to jury duty, serving as a witness or military leave. The employer may offset any amount received by an exempt employee as jury fees; witness fees or temporary military pay for a particular week against the salary due for that particular week. The employee need not be paid for any workweek during which he or she performs no work; for example, when an employee is on temporary leave for military duty for the entire workweek.

To qualify for exemption, employees generally must meet certain tests regarding their job duties and meet certain compensation requirements. Job titles do not determine exempt status. You should also review the other sections of this Advisor for help in determining whether the employee meets the duties tests for exemption.

Compensation Requirements

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