U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg visited Kent State University on Monday, touring the College of Aeronautics and Engineering, and telling students that “the future of aviation leadership is in your hands.”It was Secretary Buttigieg’s first visit to Kent State. He was accompanied by U.S. Representative Emilia Sykes, a 2007 Kent State alumna, whose 13th Congressional District includes the Kent State University Airport. Buttigieg met with President Todd Diacon, Christina L. Bloebaum, Ph.D., dean of the College of Aeronautics and Engineering, and a contingent of students and profe...
Kent State University's dedication to ensuring access for all students and families took center stage in an unexpected way during a June Destination Kent State (DKS) session.Julia Keahey, video and digital marketing coordinator for University Housing and Culinary Services, recounted the moment as she shared a touching story on LinkedIn about "an interaction with a parent that will forever stay with me." Her post tells it best."Last week, I pressed play on our primary video, and a parent in the second row immediately walked over to where I was standing on the side of the stage," Keahey wro...
EHHS grad Caitie Scott is an honoree of The Canton Repository's Twenty under 40!Scott graduated with a master's degree in Higher Education and Student Personnel from Kent State's School of Foundations, Leadership and Administration.--Photo courtesy The Canton Repository...
Graduating seniors at Kent State’s Florence program recently participated in a unique Italian commencement ceremony at the end of their final semester at the university’s Florence center.This tradition began in 2018 to celebrate and crown the graduating students during the final dinner at Palazzo Borghese. The simple ceremony features a congratulatory message from Fabrizio Ricciardelli, Ph.D., Kent State University Florence Center director. Students’ names are announced as they come forward to receive a laurel crown, (symbolizing victory) that is placed on their heads and worn for th...
The Sandusky Register reports that EHHS grad Kristen Hayden, MA ’06, Lakewood, Ohio, is the new athletic director and assistant principal at Edison High School in Sandusky.The Amherst native earned her undergraduate degree from Cleveland State University, and a master's degree in Exercise Science and Exercise Physiology from Kent State in 2006.--Photo courtesy The Sandusky Register...
Does time spent answering emails or using a mobile phone for work outside of normal hours count towards overtime for non-exempt employees?
For nonexempt employees who respond to emails or calls outside of normal work hours on a “regular” basis, that time is counted as work time for overtime purposes. If a non-exempt employee responds to emails or calls briefly and “very occasionally,” then court cases have considered that to be “de-minimis” and therefore not counted for overtime purposes. However, supervisors have discretion to establish overtime approval processes.
Will the medical benefits change for employees who will become eligible for overtime?
Medical benefits for these employees will not be affected as a result of the FLSA change. Benefit contributions will be the same as before.
How will vacation and sick time accrual change for employees who will become eligible for overtime?
The FLSA change will not affect healthcare benefits for these employees. However, affected employees will only receive one paycheck in January. Benefit premiums are deducted twice a month. We are addressing this issue and will provide additional information on how missed deductions will be handled soon.
For more information regarding vacation accrual, click here.
Does professional training differ for nonexempt employees based on whether it is voluntary or involuntary?
If an employee is required to attend training related to their job, the training is considered involuntary, and the employee must be paid for the time.
According to the Department of Labor, training is not work time if all four of the following criteria are met:
- Training is outside of working hours, and
- Training is voluntary, and
- Training is not directly related to the job, and
- The employee has no productive work during attendance.
If all four criteria are met, the training would be voluntary, and the employee would not be paid.