Rewriting the rules of full-time employment

Some jobs are done better when an employee's not watching the clock, and has a degree of say in exercising his/her discretion in setting a daily schedule. Many employees are happier when they're allowed more control of their workday and projects.

Obama wants to take that away.

From the New York Times:

On Thursday, the president will direct the Labor Department to revamp its regulations to require overtime pay for several million additional fast-food managers, loan officers, computer technicians and others whom many businesses currently classify as “executive or professional” employees to avoid paying them overtime, according to White House officials briefed on the announcement.

No surprise really, since Obama clearly embraces government central planning, and regards most Americans as too stupid to responsibly handle most routine life tasks.

Prediction: This may mean some workers benefit from overtime short-term. Long term, it means employers will once again look at splitting full-time jobs into part-time to escape mandatory overtime thresholds.