Schaefer-LaRose v. Eli Lilly & Co.

In instant consolidated appeal, Ct. of Appeals found that one Dist. Ct. correctly found that plaintiffs-sales representatives of defendant-pharmaceutical company were properly classified as exempt employees for purposes of denying plaintiffs' claim for overtime pay under Fair Labor Standard Act. Instant plaintiffs qualified for administrative exemption under FSLA, where plaintiffs did not generate specific drug sales, but rather used degree of discretion in apprising customers/physicians of defendant's pharmaceutical products, and where plaintiffs had primary duty in performing work related to general business of their employer. Ct. of Appeals also reversed different Dist. Ct.'s decision that found that other pharmaceutical sales representatives from different pharmaceutical company, who had similar duties, did not qualify for administrative exemption.