A federal judge has put on hold on the new rule that would have made about 4 million more Americans eligible for overtime.
It was supposed to go into effect Dec. 1, right before the holiday season.
Those in retail and in the restaurant business usually end up working extra around the holiday season. Which is why some workers said not getting overtime is not fair.
"That stinks. I don't think it should be that way," said Marla Parker, who makes overtime bartending in Groton.
"If you're working an hourly wage you should get paid for every hour that you work," Parker said.
Under President Obama's plan to extend overtime pay, salaried workers would have become eligible for overtime if they made less than about $47,500 a year.
"Sometimes they didn't finish their shift, or they'd have to leave early or come in later because they were going to go over 40 hours for that week," said Nancy Gramolini, who has family and friends who don't get overtime.
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Over the holidays, they could use the extra cash for working extra hours, she said.
But paying the extra money is not always easy, especially small businesses.
"There are a lot of taxes, there's payroll, the rent is high you've got your utilities, your cable," said Mary Stanley.
After 27 years, Stanley is closing down The Velvet Swan in Mystic. She hasn't made any of her employees full time because she said it's tough for a small business to break even. And it would be even harder to, while paying overtime.
"They're definitely entitled to the overtime pay. But as a small business, you have to watch your costs," Stanley said.
