Can anyone explain this California Exempt Status to me. I was hired as a Marketing Assistant at 50k. I do not have hire and fire powers, I am not management, yet I am now told they can work me as many hours as they see fit because I am a "Exempt Salary Employee."

Is this some loophole that allows the employers to hire people on salary and work them more than 40 hours per week without paying them overtime?

I am very confused ...and tired of working sometimes 7 days per week. Seems to dilute that 50 K when you divide it by 70-80 hours per week.

Tired Calfornia Worker

It sounds like you are considered as an administrative exempt employee. The following website explains that classification: http://www.dol.gov/esa/regs/compliance/whd/fairpay/fs17c_administrative.htm

Let me know if you have any other questions.

One of the most important things that people tend to overlook is that employers cannot simply change your title at work and call you exempt. Simply because you are paid a Salary doesn't automatically make you exempt. Your job is the primary factor in deciding if you are an exempt employee.

There are 3 major exemptions. Administrative, Executive and Professional. The later has a few variations (Learned Professional and Creative Professional).

It is not true that simply because you are paid a salary that you are automatically exempt. There are several criteria that all must be met before anyone can be classified as an exempt employee. Check-out 29CFR Part 541 for all of the exemption requirements. Good luck.