Re: Tech Writer Lawsuit

Subject: Re: Tech Writer Lawsuit
From: Ned Bedinger <doc -at- edwordsmith -dot- com>
To: Gene Kim-Eng <techwr -at- genek -dot- com>
Date: Sun, 18 May 2008 11:58:15 -0700

Gene Kim-Eng wrote:
> ----- Original Message -----
> installation and service manuals for rackmounted servers,
> an exempt professional employee while Bob, who writes
> software manuals, is a nonexempt clerical employee?

The more I read about it, the more I think the intent of the law is
illustrated where it draws the distinction between those who write
software specifications based on end-user requirements, and those who
write product documentation for end-users. Writing software specs
require specialized knowledge, product documentation doesn't.

The distinction is defined by the extremes, but is artificial--the job
duties are a continuum with no natural boundary. I reckon the industry
is well aware of the problem they've created. They'd have to be severely
handicapped not to have seen that the law says OT for documentation
functions at one end of the continuum.

My guess is that they've known for some time whether they would contest
OT suits while rewriting the laws, or just pay the plaintiffs, win some
good will, and rewrite the laws. My hope is that we'll be there to
inject our reality when employers lobby again to write exempt laws for
software workers.

Ned Bedinger
doc -at- edwordsmith -dot- com


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Follow-Ups:

References:
RE: Tech Writer Lawsuit: From: Lauren
Re: Tech Writer Lawsuit: From: Gene Kim-Eng

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