Arkansas aligns with federal FLSA $684/week salary threshold for exempt classification.
In Arkansas, the classification of employees as exempt from overtime and minimum wage requirements under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) directly mirrors federal standards. This means employees must meet both a salary basis test, currently set at $684 per week ($35,568 annually), and a duties test for executive, administrative, or professional roles.
FLSA $684/wk Exempt Classification
Validates exempt against $684/week federal salary basis + duties test. AR tracks federal threshold.
What those rules do as an Arkansas shift is created.
Teambridge continuously evaluates employee classifications against Arkansas's adoption of federal FLSA standards, ensuring that salary and duties tests are met to prevent misclassification and potential wage claims.
Prevents misclassification
Automatically flags employees who meet the duties test but fall below the federal $684/week salary threshold, preventing their designation as exempt in Arkansas.
Ensures salary basis compliance
Blocks the system from categorizing an employee as exempt if their guaranteed weekly earnings do not meet or exceed the FLSA's $684 minimum, as adopted by Arkansas.
Monitors federal updates
Proactively tracks changes to the federal FLSA salary threshold, automatically updating Arkansas's compliance checks to reflect the latest requirements.
Compliance, on autopilot.
Never worry about keeping up with Arkansas's wage and hour laws. Teambridge handles it for you.
Arkansas requires exempt employees to meet FLSA salary and duties tests.
Arkansas adheres to the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) regulations for determining whether an employee can be classified as exempt from minimum wage and overtime pay. This requires satisfying both a salary basis test and a duties test.
Arkansas does not have its own separate state-specific salary threshold for FLSA exemptions; it defaults to the federal standard. The state's wage and hour laws generally mirror FLSA provisions where not explicitly superseded by state statute.
Salary Basis Test
To qualify for an FLSA exemption in Arkansas, an employee must be paid on a salary basis, meaning they receive a predetermined amount of compensation each pay period that is not subject to reduction because of variations in the quality or quantity of the work performed. As of current federal guidelines, this salary must meet or exceed $684 per week ($35,568 annually). If an employee's salary falls below this threshold, they cannot be classified as exempt, regardless of their job duties.
Duties Test for Exempt Categories
In addition to the salary basis test, an employee's primary job duties must fit into one of the recognized FLSA exemption categories: Executive, Administrative, or Professional. Each category has specific criteria related to the nature of the work performed, the level of discretion and independent judgment exercised, and supervisory responsibilities. For example, an executive employee must primarily manage an enterprise or a recognized department/subdivision, customarily and regularly direct the work of two or more other employees, and have the authority to hire or fire, or whose suggestions and recommendations as to the hiring, firing, advancement, promotion or any other change of status of other employees are given particular weight.
Teambridge ensures Arkansas exempt classifications are always compliant.
Teambridge integrates Arkansas's adoption of federal FLSA exempt classification rules directly into your payroll and HR workflows, providing automated checks and alerts to maintain compliance effortlessly.
Automated Salary Basis Check
When setting up a new employee or adjusting compensation, Teambridge automatically verifies that the proposed salary for any exempt role meets the current federal FLSA threshold of $684 per week, preventing unintentional misclassification in Arkansas.
Structured Duties Assessment
Teambridge provides clear, guided questionnaires based on FLSA's executive, administrative, and professional duties tests, assisting managers in accurately documenting and confirming that an employee's primary responsibilities align with exemption criteria.
Real-time Regulatory Monitoring
Our system continuously monitors changes to federal FLSA salary thresholds and exemption rules. Any updates relevant to Arkansas's compliance obligations are automatically integrated, ensuring your classifications remain compliant without manual intervention.
Comprehensive Compliance Records
Teambridge maintains a detailed audit trail of all exemption classifications, including salary checks and duties test assessments. Generate reports on demand to demonstrate compliance during audits or internal reviews, specific to Arkansas's federal alignment.
People also ask.
What is the current salary threshold for FLSA exempt employees in Arkansas?
Arkansas follows the federal FLSA salary threshold. As of the current federal regulations, the minimum salary for most exempt employees (executive, administrative, and professional) is $684 per week, or $35,568 annually.
Does Arkansas have its own state-specific exempt employee rules?
No, Arkansas generally aligns with federal FLSA standards for exempt employee classification. Unlike some states that have higher state-specific salary thresholds, Arkansas defers to the federal requirements for both salary and duties tests.
What are the "duties tests" for FLSA exemption?
The duties tests define the primary job responsibilities an employee must perform to qualify for an exemption. These tests are specific to the executive, administrative, and professional categories and involve criteria such as managing an enterprise, exercising independent judgment, or requiring advanced knowledge in a field of science or learning.
What happens if an employee is misclassified as exempt in Arkansas?
Misclassification can lead to significant penalties for employers. If an employee is found to have been improperly classified as exempt, they may be entitled to back pay for unpaid overtime, liquidated damages, and attorney's fees. Arkansas's general wage and hour enforcement mirrors federal FLSA provisions.
Are there any exceptions to the $684/week salary threshold in Arkansas?
Certain highly compensated employees (HCE) with total annual compensation of $107,432 or more are subject to a relaxed duties test. Additionally, some specific professions, like outside sales employees and certain teachers or doctors, have different or no salary requirements for exemption under federal FLSA, which Arkansas also follows.
How often do FLSA exemption rules change?
The federal FLSA salary threshold and exemption rules are subject to review and potential updates by the U.S. Department of Labor. While not frequent, employers in Arkansas must stay informed of any federal changes as they directly impact state compliance.