[couradical]

From the DOL: "Being paid on a “salary basis” means an employee regularly receives a predetermined amount of compensation each pay period on a weekly, or less frequent, basis. The predetermined amount cannot be reduced because of variations in the quality or quantity of the employee’s work. Subject to exceptions listed below, an exempt employee must receive the full salary for any week in which the employee performs any work. "

Salaried employment isn't contingent on any hour requirement whatsoever. I could work 1 hour a week and still legally qualify for my salary. My employer could give me enough work to require that I stay in the office for 80-100h, and I would have to do so to fulfill the job duties.

I in no way stated that exempt employees can't have other employment. I have always maintained a consulting practice while working - what I can't believe is that people don't get it in writing that they are doing this, and carve out the things that their employer doesn't get to touch. Exemption/Exclusion clauses work both ways. It avoids this situation altogether. For a computer professional who branches out into other semi related tasks, I would consider this essential. Plus, I think that there's a large difference between something completely out of your field (like the real estate and restaurant ventures mentioned) and another software/gaming company.