Question: Our business was hit hard by a recent tornado. As we recover, do we have to keep paying overtime on top of our other issues?

A: There’s no emergency exemption that allows you to NOT pay overtime to non-exempt staff under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act, according to John Thompson of Fisher & Phillips LLP (JThompson@LaborLawyers.com). 

There could be a clause in a collective bargaining agreement that might temporarily ease your burden under that agreement. 

But remember: A collective bargaining…