Define: Fair Labor Standards Act

The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) is a federal law that establishes minimum wage, overtime pay, recordkeeping, and child labor standards for employees in the private sector and in federal, state, and local governments.

The FLSA covers most employees in the United States, including full-time and part-time workers. However, certain exemptions exist for specific types of employees, such as executive, administrative, professional, and outside sales employees.

The current federal minimum wage under the FLSA is $7.25 per hour. However, some states have their own minimum wage laws that may be higher than the federal minimum wage.

The FLSA requires covered employers to pay eligible employees overtime pay at a rate of one and a half times their regular rate of pay for all hours worked over 40 in a workweek. However, certain exemptions apply to specific types of employees.

No, certain employees are exempt from the FLSA’s overtime pay requirements. These exemptions typically apply to executive, administrative, professional, and outside sales employees who meet specific criteria.

Yes, employers can require employees to work overtime hours. However, they must comply with the FLSA’s overtime pay requirements and pay eligible employees the appropriate overtime rate for all hours worked over 40 in a workweek.

In general, private sector employers are not allowed to offer compensatory time off instead of overtime pay. However, public sector employers may offer compensatory time off in certain circumstances.

Employers can classify employees as exempt from overtime pay if they meet the specific criteria outlined in the FLSA. However, misclassifying employees can lead to legal consequences, so it is important for employers to ensure accurate classification.

Yes, employees who believe their employer has violated the FLSA can file a complaint with the Wage and Hour Division of the U.S. Department of Labor. They may also have the option to file a private lawsuit to recover unpaid wages and damages.

Employers who violate the FLSA may be subject to penalties, including back wages owed to employees, liquidated damages, and civil monetary penalties. Repeat or willful violations can result in more severe penalties.