Gainsharing involves the philosophy of cooperation, an involvement system, and, usually, a monthly bonus opportunity. This bonus is paid out of cost savings whether or not there is an annual profit. Job analysis refers to some system to describe the content of a job or occupation such as the tasks, duties, and bodies of knowledge or skills required to perform this content. Job evaluation refers to assessing the worth or value of a given job or occupation for its value to the firm or labor market. While the language of the FLSA seems reasonably clear for executive, administrative, and sales, it is more difficult to apply to professional jobs due to many factors.
Many professionals can displace lesser skilled workers and, thus, underemploy themselves.
The psychic value of high status is implied by the term professional. The only resolution for proper classification judgments is to look at the work performed and, in effect, do a proper job analysis. Then, the FLSA criteria can be applied, but at this stage I would utilize a standard job analysis method backed up by a large data base.