What is the Fair Labor Standards Act?

The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) is a federal law that establishes standards for wages, overtime pay, and safety in the workplace in the United States. It was instituted in 1938 by the U.S. Congress and is enforced by the Wage and Hour Division of the Department of Labor. The FLSA sets a national minimum wage, which employers must pay their employees as well as certain overtime requirements. In Washington, the current minimum wage rate is $13.69/hr. The FLSA also sets restrictions on the amount of time a child worker may work, including in hazardous occupations. The FLSA also safeguards employees by prohibiting certain types of discrimination, such as discrimination on the basis of gender, race, or age. Additionally, the FLSA requires employers to keep records of how much time their employees work. The FLSA applies to employers of all sizes and most industries, including agricultural businesses. While the federal government enforces the FLSA, states are able to set their own laws and regulations to provide additional worker protections and wage rates. Washington is one of the states that has its own minimum wage rate higher than the federal rate, which may be imposed when applicable.

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What is the Fair Labor Standards Act?

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