ROGERS, Ark. — Registration is open for a webinar to help businesses prepare for proposed rule changes by the U.S. Department of Labor that could increase employer overtime obligations and impact the profit of some businesses.

The University of Arkansas Global Campus in Rogers and the law firm of Cross, Gunter, Witherspoon & Galchus P.C. will offer “Overtime ‘Protection’ on the Way: Prepare Now to Protect Your Bottom line” from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Thursday, July 23. The cost is $40 and participants can register online.

The event is part of a webinar series that provides the latest information about labor and employment issues and regulations. Visit the website of the Global Campus in Rogers for more information about this series and other workforce development classes and workshops.

On June 30, the Department of Labor released a proposed rule change that would increase employer overtime obligations for an estimated 5 million employees. Webinar participants will explore the changes proposed to the rule that will likely affect businesses, including a dramatic increase in the minimum salary threshold for white-collar exemptions under the Fair Labor Standards Act.

Missy Duke – a lawyer at Cross, Gunter, Witherspoon & Galchus – will lead the Webinar and review best practices for auditing a company’s wage and hour compliance, employee classification, job descriptions, policies and recordkeeping. She will share tips to prepare businesses for the implementation of the final rule.

Although employers are not required to make changes to their practices until the rule is finalized, now is the time to consider the effects the proposed rule may have on your employment practices and bottom line, Duke said.

Duke regularly represents employers before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Wage and Hour Division of the Department of Labor, as well as related federal and state court litigation. She also represents employers and individuals in immigration matters.

The Global Campus in Rogers supports workforce development education, including professional development classes and workshops and computer and technology training. Contact Judith Tavano, director of professional development programs, at jtavano@uark.edu or 855-402-3300 to discuss learning opportunities or customized training options.

About the Global Campus: The Global Campus supports U of A colleges and schools in the development and delivery of online programs and courses. It provides instructional design services, technology services and assistance with marketing, recruiting and strategic academic development.

About the University of Arkansas: The University of Arkansas provides an internationally competitive education for undergraduate and graduate students in more than 200 academic programs. The university contributes new knowledge, economic development, basic and applied research, and creative activity while also providing service to academic and professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the University of Arkansas among only 2 percent of universities in America that have the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the University of Arkansas among its top American public research universities. Founded in 1871, the University of Arkansas comprises 10 colleges and schools and maintains a low student-to-faculty ratio that promotes personal attention and close mentoring.