Overtime for Six-Figure Income Worker Tests Bounds of FLSA Rules

An impending US Supreme Court decision in a case asking if a worker making more than $200,000 a year is entitled to overtime compensation is prompting questions over whether federal wage law was intended to protect such highly paid employees.

Helix Energy Solutions Group Inc. is fighting to overturn an appeals court ruling that former oil rig worker Michael Hewitt wasn’t exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act’s overtime requirement for work performed over 40 hours in a workweek because Helix paid him a day rate and not a guaranteed weekly salary.

The justices last week wrestled with the nuances ...