U.S. District Court Blocks U.S. DOL’s New Definition of Companionship Services Under FLSA

Executive Summary: The U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia has issued a Temporary Restraining Order (“TRO”) blocking the U.S. Department of Labor (“DOL”) from enforcing the new definition of Companionship Services in its Final Rule on the Application of the Fair Labor Standards Act to Domestic Service Order (“Final Rule”), which was set to take effect, January 1, 2015. On December 22, 2014, this same court had vacated the Final Rule’s differing treatment of home care agencies versus direct-hire employers, such as individuals, families, and households, stating that both should benefit similarly from the “companionship services” and “live-in” exemptions under the Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSA”). To determine whether a Preliminary Injunction should issue, the court will hold a hearing on January 9, 2015.