A federal judge has blocked Department of Labor rules that would have extended overtime eligibility to almost four million Americans. The new regulations were set to go into effect on December 1.

Judge Amos L. Mazzant III of the Eastern District of Texas issued the injunction suspending the DOL overtime rules November 22. While an appeal of the injunction may occur, for now the rules are not enforceable.

“Many churches and church related employers had been working to determine whether or not the rules were applicable to their situations,” said Don Walter, director of Pensions and Benefits USA. “For those who determined they were affected, most had likely made changes in employment and compensation arrangements. We now need to see how this matter progresses through the courts and Congress to know whether or not the rules will ever be effective. But for now, the December 1 deadline no longer applies.”

Pensions and Benefits USA will update this story as more information is received.