What are the federal labor laws?

Federal labor laws set minimum standards for conditions of employment, such as wages, overtime pay, meal and rest breaks, safety standards, and more. In North Carolina, the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) is the main federal law that affects most private-sector employers. It provides for a minimum wage, overtime pay, and certain other protections. The minimum wage in North Carolina is currently $7.25 per hour, the same as the federal minimum wage. The FLSA also sets rules for overtime pay. Generally, employers must pay all employees at least 1.5 times their regular rate of pay for any hours worked beyond 40 in a single workweek. There are some exceptions to this rule, though, such as for workers employed in certain executive, administrative, professional, or outside sales positions. The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) is another important federal labor law. It requires employers to provide certain employees with up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave for certain medical or family reasons. To be eligible for this leave, employees must have worked for their employer for at least one year, and must have worked at least 1,250 hours during the 12 months prior to the leave. Finally, the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) is a federal law that sets safety standards for the workplace. It requires employers to provide a safe and healthy work environment and provides for certain penalties if employers fail to comply. Employers must also inform employees of their rights under the law and provide them with any necessary safety training.

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