Auer v. Robbins

**Police Supervisors Not Entitled to Overtime Pay** This case involved police officers working as shift supervisors for the St. Louis Police Department who sued for overtime pay. The officers argued they should receive overtime compensation under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), which normally requires employers to pay workers time-and-a-half for hours worked beyond 40 per week. The court ruled against the officers, deciding that shift supervisors qualify for the "administrative exemption" under federal labor law. This exemption allows employers to avoid paying overtime to certain employees who perform administrative duties, even if they work more than 40 hours per week. **What This Means for Workers:** This ruling is significant because it clarifies that not all police officers are entitled to overtime pay. While rank-and-file officers typically receive overtime, those in supervisory roles with administrative responsibilities may be classified as exempt employees. Workers in similar supervisory positions across different industries should understand that having administrative duties can disqualify them from overtime pay, regardless of how many hours they work. This affects how police departments and other employers classify their supervisory staff for pay purposes.