What is the Fair Labor Standards Act?

The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) is a federal law that governs employment practices such as wages, overtime pay, recordkeeping, and child labor in the United States. It is administered by the U.S. Department of Labor. The FLSA does not apply to all employees in Minnesota, but it does apply to certain “enterprises” or businesses that conduct commerce or are connected to interstate commerce. The FLSA sets a minimum wage for workers, requires employers to pay overtime to employees after 40 hours of work in a single week, and prohibits employers from requiring employees to work more than 8 hours in a single day. It also requires employers to keep records of hours worked and wages paid to employees. The FLSA also has provisions for youth employment, which limits the number of hours children 16 and under can work, and prohibits work in certain hazardous occupations. The FLSA has been in effect since 1938 and is responsible for setting and enforcing standards for workers throughout the country. In Minnesota, individuals who feel their rights have been violated under the FLSA can file a complaint with the Wage and Hour Division of the Department of Labor. If it is determined that an employer has violated the FLSA, they may be subject to penalties or even prosecution.

Related FAQs

What does it mean to be an "at-will" employee?
What is a grievance procedure?
What is the purpose of collective action?
What is the federal minimum wage?
What are the labor laws regarding job termination?
What is a labor injunction?
What is the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act?
What is an unfair labor practice?
What is the Taft-Hartley Act?
What is right to work?

What is the Fair Labor Standards Act?

Related FAQs

Related Blog Posts