FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

Matthew Haller, 202-662-0770

Jenna Weisbord, 202-662-0766

mhaller@franchise.org

jweisbord@franchise.org

IFA STATEMENT ON OBAMA’S USE OF EXECUTIVE AUTHORITY TO EXPAND OVERTIME ELIGIBILITY

WASHINGTON, March 13, 2014—The International Franchise Association President & CEO Steve Caldeira released the below statement following President Obama’s use of executive authority in ordering the Labor Department to expand overtime pay requirements for those currently classified as “executive or professional” employees.

“This basically amounts to an increase in the minimum wage for non-exempt employees; and like the proposal for a $10.10 minimum wage for non-exempt employees, it needs to be workable both in New York and Iowa.

“It is very apparent that the administration has once again ignored the viewpoints of small business owners and the Congressional Budget Office report, about the negative impact higher mandated wage hikes would have on jobs and cost of goods to consumers. Arbitrarily mandating employers to pay overtime to a larger number of salaried workers will only reduce the amount of opportunities for current employees and impose costly regulations at a time when small business owners are already facing increased costs from Obamacare and its seemingly-endless and burdensome implementation delays.

“Increasing the number of people who qualify for overtime will force difficult staffing and pricing decisions, as small businesses try to absorb the extra costs associated with changes to overtime pay. The franchise industry is a proven job creator and career builder, but when you increase labor costs, small business owners will have no choice but to find savings elsewhere to make-up the difference. This proposed rule will ultimately force many employers to eliminate jobs and raise prices.

“The IFA will continue to educate key policymakers why the franchise industry, and the jobs created each and every day, would be at risk with the expansion of overtime eligibility.”

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About the International Franchise Association

The International Franchise Association is the world’s oldest and largest organization representing franchising worldwide. Celebrating over 50 years of excellence, education and advocacy, IFA works through its government relations and public policy, media relations and educational programs to protect, enhance and promote franchising. Through its media awareness campaign highlighting the theme, Franchising: Building Local Businesses, One Opportunity at a Time, IFA promotes the economic impact of the more than 825,000 franchise establishments, which support nearly 18 million jobs and $2.1 trillion of economic output for the U.S. economy. IFA members include franchise companies in over 300 different business format categories, individual franchisees and companies that support the industry in marketing, law and business development.

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