Final answer:
FLSA exempt status may be lost due to improper salary deductions, misclassification, failing to meet salary thresholds, or the employee not primarily performing exempt duties. Professional misconduct does not directly affect FLSA status but may result in other consequences.
Step-by-step explanation:
An employee's FLSA exempt status can be jeopardized by various actions or situations. The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) exempts certain employees from overtime pay requirements based on criteria such as their job duties, salary, and role within the company. However, if an exempt employee is treated like non-exempt workers, for example by having their pay deducted for partial-day absences or performing a significant amount of non-exempt work, their exempt status could be at risk.
Some factors that could lead to the loss of FLSA exempt status include improper salary deductions, misclassification of the employee's role, and not meeting the salary threshold. Additionally, if the employee does not primarily perform executive, administrative, or professional duties as defined by FLSA regulations, they may lose their exempt status. Actions such as bad mouthing an employer, posting inappropriate pictures online, or making discriminatory comments, while unprofessional, do not in themselves affect FLSA exempt status, but could lead to other employment issues.