How much of a person’s time does an employer get, and at what cost?

It’s the most basic issue in the bargain between worker and company, and it’s up for debate again after President Obama’s recent proposal to increase the threshold for overtime pay.

While the political lines form and economists try to predict the consequences, if the regulatory change takes effect, the more important imperative is cleaning up a loophole that allows some organizations to demand too much of employees with too little in return. The 41st hour of a person’s time should be expensive. Instead, it’s often free.

(My full commentary is available at Forbes.)