Learning a New Routine

So, for my entire life as a social worker, paid since June 1977, I have been a salaried or exempt employee, which meant that I worked the hours required to complete my job requirements.  If my employer allowed me to accrue compensatory time, I did. If not, I had to "flex" time.

Because the Fair Labor Standards Act https://www.dol.gov/whd/overtime/final2016/ has redefined the salary level for positions which can receive overtime, my position has been affected.  I am paid over the Federal limit to require overtime, but because the base salary for the position I hold where I work is under the payment level, all of the positions in that category are considered subject to the new Fair Labor Standards Act salary levels. So, I will be come a "non-exempt" employee subject to the new Fair Labor Standards Act and overtime laws.

So, my employer is very clear that overtime for my position will not be authorized.  An audit was conducted, and most of my coworkers only work 40 hours a week. I have a habit of working 45 hours a week. I have a habit of an 8 AM to 5 PM work week, but do not usually take an hour for lunch, although I have in the past. I did so when I worked at the Texas State Department of Health, and went home for lunch to check on my dog.  I did so, at my current position,  when I was bottle feeding a kitten and went home during the day to feed this kitten.  I am "practicing" working only 8 hours a day so I can be compliant with this new regulation when it becomes effective at my place of employment on November 1, 2016. 

I am accustomed to finalizing everything on my plate for the day it occurs.  That is not required of my position, but it is my preference.  So, I am having to adjust my mental status regarding leaving some tasks for the next day.  I have done this before. I can do this again.

On the other hand, I can use the time afforded to me by this change in my schedule to do more  personal chores or activities in my off time.  This amounts to between 2 to 5 hours a week.  I can benefit from that. 

This is actually a protection for me. In the past year, we have gone through some major changes at my employment, and we were told that to accomplish what the requirements were, we were expected to work what hours were required.  So, this will be interesting. If we experience these major changes in the future, will we be required to work overtime to accomplish the required tasks?  Will we be given required tasks that cannot be humanly accomplished within the 40 hour work week?  Will we be dunned or sanctioned because we cannot do the job required within the 40 hour work week? Will we be authorized for overtime?  Hmmm.

The 8 hour work day will be a little anxiety producing for me, but I can adjust.  I have in the past. I can do so again