New overtime law in effect

New state overtime laws went into effect July 1.

Employees who make more than one and one-half times minimum wage currently $7.725 per hour and work more than 40 hours a week now are eligible for overtime pay.

In the past, employees paid more than one and one-half times the minimum wage didn't qualify for overtime pay.

State Labor Commissioner Michael Tanchek said employers should follow these general guidelines: * Employees who make $7.725 an hour or less should be paid overtime if they work more than eight hours in a day or more than 40 hours in a week.

* Employees who make more than $7.725 an hour are eligible for overtime if they work more than 40 hours a week, but they aren't eligible for overtime on a daily basis.

* Workers on public works projects who are paid the prevailing wage qualify for both daily and weekly overtime.

The new overtime rules only apply to time earned as of July 1, Tancheck said, so retroactive claims are not applicable.

Questions? Call the labor commissioner's office in Carson City, 687-4850.