California law may exempt game programmers from receiving overtime pay

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Segatron Genesis... call me the wizard.
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As of today, California Assembly Bill 10 has gone into effect and the future of game development in California for some may be marred by brutal crunch times with no compensation for overtime hours.

Amending the existing overtime laws and clarifying exemptions barring certain employees from receiving overtime under various conditions, AB 10 seeks to lower the number of lawsuits taking place in the state under previous guidelines. Joystiq's Law of the Game author Mark Methenitis explained the downside of the amendment to us this afternoon, saying, "Practically speaking, that means if you're a dev with a salary of $75K, you can't claim overtime during crunch, which means the developer is more likely to use crunch cycles."

Um, California sucks? First our trans fats, now our games? You sir, have ordered a case of MEGA PAIN! >:(
 
Well ... I Don't get overtime as it is... but I don't see how they can regulate overtime hours in the gaming industry with a government bill.

That makes no sense... Does it make sense to anyone else? :?

†B†V† :hat
 
nothing makes sense in California to me anymore :-\...seriously what is up with that state government?
 
Zidart said:
nothing makes sense in California to me anymore :-\...seriously what is up with that state government?
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*epic music by JAMES CAMERON*


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Um, this is more common than you guys think. There are other states out there that have been doing this a lot longer and not just in the video game industry, but with all jobs. I believe Arizona has something similar. You can still get OT but only during certain conditions.

Not to mention that most salary employees don't get OT anyways. It's a fact of life in the business world.

Either way, we're better than Texas regardless. :D
 
CreepinDeth said:
Um, this is more common than you guys think. There are other states out there that have been doing this a lot longer and not just in the video game industry, but with all jobs. I believe Arizona has something similar. You can still get OT but only during certain conditions.

Not to mention that most salary employees don't get OT anyways. It's a fact of life in the business world.

Either way, we're better than Texas regardless. :D
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*whispers* anything is better than this craphole...yet I get paid for OT actually...but that's my little secret...
 
Bluevoodu said:
Well ... I Don't get overtime as it is... but I don't see how they can regulate overtime hours in the gaming industry with a government bill.

That makes no sense... Does it make sense to anyone else? :?

†B†V† :hat
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You might want to look into that, it could be illegal.

Then again, a job's a job. And right now there will be plenty of people who would be willing to work w/o overtime, so you're in a tough spot.

Still, I think its ridiculous that anyone should have to work more than 8 hours a day (unless people's health/safety/livelihood depend on it), overtime pay or no. I don't want to go on a big anti-capitalism rant, but I do think people's quality of life should come before profit margins and arbitrary deadlines. Competition is good and all, but at some point people need to get together and agree its not worth it to be that competitive.
 
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