What is the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)?

The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) is a federal law that sets out minimum wage, overtime pay, and other workplace rights and standards for most employees in the United States. In Rhode Island, this law applies to employers who earn more than $500,000 in annual sales or do business in interstate commerce. The FLSA sets the federal minimum wage, which currently stands at $7.25 per hour. Employers must pay employees at least this amount for all hours worked, regardless of the number of hours worked. In addition, employers must pay overtime for any hours worked over 40 in a workweek at a rate of one and a half times the employee’s regular rate of pay. The FLSA also protects other rights, such as equal pay, equal opportunity, and the right for employees to receive certain benefits such as meal and rest breaks. The FLSA also ensures that employees receive protection from hazardous workplace conditions. The Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division is responsible for investigating complaints and enforcing the FLSA in Rhode Island. Employers who violate the law can be subject to financial penalties, including back pay and civil monetary penalties. Employers who willfully or repeatedly violate the law may also be subject to criminal penalties.

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What is the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)?

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