FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

Jenna Weisbord, 202-662-0766

jweisbord@franchise.org

@franchising411

IFA Praises Congress for Common-Sense Legislation Giving Employees and

Employers Greater Flexibility

WASHINGTON, May 2—International Franchise Association praised members of the House of Representatives for passing common-sense legislation that will provide employers and employees with greater flexibility. H.R. 1180, the Working Families Flexibility Act of 2017, allows private sector employees the option of choosing compensatory time or overtime pay for any hours worked over forty under the Fair Labor Standards Act.

“We applaud members of Congress for their efforts to provide small businesses with workplace options in a thoughtful and constructive manner,” said IFA Vice President of Public Affairs Matt Haller. “Congress has created numerous exemptions to overtime pay requirements under the Fair Labor Standards Act, demonstrating the recognition that the law needs to reflect the vast differences and needs in the workplace.”

The Working Families Flexibility Act would allow private sector employers to offer the same compensatory time benefits as those offered to public employees, and includes provisions to protect employees from coercion. Workers who wish to continue receiving cash wages for overtime would continue to be able to do so.

The IFA sent a letter of support to members of Congress stating that while the current law contrasts certain professional occupations with other workplace classifications, it does not provide flexibility for private sector employees to choose compensatory time in lieu of overtime pay.

“On behalf of the nation’s 733,000 franchised small businesses, we look forward to working with Congress on this key legislation,” stated Haller.

To view the letter, click here. 

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About the International Franchise Association

Celebrating 56 years of excellence, education and advocacy, the International Franchise Association is the world’s oldest and largest organization representing franchising worldwide. IFA works through its government relations and public policy, media relations and educational programs to protect, enhance and promote franchising and the more than 733,000 franchise establishments that support nearly 7.6 million direct jobs, $674.3 billion of economic output for the U.S. economy and 2.5 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). IFA members include franchise companies in over 300 different business format categories, individual franchisees and companies that support the industry in marketing, law, technology and business development.