Exempt Status Change
I started a new position as a controls engineer for a local plant. Prior to my start, the original offer came through from the original HR who was handling my offer. The position was non-exempt on the offer and annual pay was same as I was making, so I pushed back with a higher salary (didn’t disclose but due to now having to pay insurance with new company, where it was free where I was working at the time).
After my counter, the second offer had come through, but this time from the HR that replaced the HR who sent me the original offer. This offer was salary exempt, and they met me under my asking salary but more than the original with a chance to bump to my ask after a 6 month review. I asked the new HR lady about the exempt change and she mentioned she changed due to what she felt the position entailed, but would re-evaluate in a few weeks, this was almost a month before my start.
Now I’m 4 weeks into the job today, I emailed her regarding the evaluation. I’m hoping it gets changed because during the interview it sounded like I would be getting paid overtime, a friend who works here in the same position gets paid OT, and my senior that I’m shadowing is getting paid OT. I understand FLSA laws and that the same position doesn’t mean the same status, but I’m performing the same work as them, but don’t want to mention their status to HR. How can I best argue about getting the exempt status changed?