What is the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)?

The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) is a United States federal law that sets standards for the minimum wage, overtime pay, record keeping, and child labor. It establishes a minimum wage for all workers in the United States, as well as a federal minimum wage for all states. The FLSA also requires employers to pay overtime to workers who work more than 40 hours a week and to provide additional wages for those employees who work on Sundays or holidays. Additionally, employers must keep accurate records of hours worked and wages paid to employees. In Washington, the minimum wage is higher than the federal minimum wage. For example, as of 2021, the minimum wage in Washington is $13.69 an hour. The FLSA also sets limits on the type and number of hours that minors can work. It is illegal for minors under the age of 16 to work more than 8 hours a day or 40 hours a week. The law also prohibits employers from hiring minors for hazardous jobs. The FLSA also provides workers with a variety of protections, including the right to receive overtime pay, equal pay for equal work, and the right to receive unpaid leave for certain reasons. In sum, the FLSA sets standards for the minimum wage, overtime pay, record keeping, and child labor in the United States. It provides workers with a variety of protections and sets limits on the type and number of hours that minors can work.

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