Regulation Labor and DOL Rules Analysis
[Sample] What the new overtime threshold means for live-in caregiver schedules
A higher salary threshold changes the math on 24-hour shifts. Here is how three common schedules compare.
Sample article for testing the newsroom layout. The agencies, people and figures below are fictional.
Shifts for a live-in caregiver have always been the hardest schedule to price. A proposed increase in the federal overtime salary threshold in our fictional scenario would make them harder still, because fewer coordinators and supervisors would qualify as exempt.
Three schedules compared
| Schedule | Weekly hours | Overtime hours | Cost change |
|---|---|---|---|
| One live-in, 7 days | 84 | 44 | Highest |
| Two live-ins, split week | 42 each | 2 each | Small |
| Three 8-hour shifts | 56 each shift slot | 16 | Moderate |
Why the split week wins
Splitting the week between two caregivers keeps each person close to 40 hours. The client sees two familiar faces instead of one, which most families accept once it is explained early.
The catch
Two caregivers means two sets of onboarding, two background checks and twice the scheduling risk if one calls out. Agencies with thin rosters may find the single live-in still cheaper once turnover costs are counted.
Our take
Run your own numbers on your three largest live-in clients before the rule takes effect. The answer will differ by market, but the exercise takes an afternoon and protects your margin.