Which federal statute governs working hours and wages?

Which federal statute governs working hours and wages?

• A. The Fair Employment Practices Act
• B. The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
• C. The National Labor Relations Act
• D. The Occupational Safety and Health Act

Answer: (B)

The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) is the federal statute that governs working hours and wages. This law was enacted in 1938 and establishes important standards for minimum wage, overtime pay, recordkeeping, and youth employment. It sets the minimum wage rate to ensure a baseline income for workers and outlines regulations for overtime compensation, requiring employers to pay nonexempt employees at least one and a half times their regular pay for hours worked over 40 in a workweek. Additionally, the act addresses child labor laws, ensuring that minors are not employed in hazardous conditions and limiting the hours they can work. The other options reference different aspects of labor law but do not specifically pertain to working hours and wages. The Fair Employment Practices Act is primarily concerned with preventing workplace discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. The National Labor Relations Act focuses on the rights of employees to organize and engage in collective bargaining. The Occupational Safety and Health Act is dedicated to ensuring safe and healthy working conditions for workers but does not address wage and hour regulations directly.

The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) is the federal statute that governs working hours and wages. This law was enacted in 1938 and establishes important standards for minimum wage, overtime pay, recordkeeping, and youth employment. It sets the minimum wage rate to ensure a baseline income for workers and outlines regulations for overtime compensation, requiring employers to pay nonexempt employees at least one and a half times their regular pay for hours worked over 40 in a workweek. Additionally, the act addresses child labor laws, ensuring that minors are not employed in hazardous conditions and limiting the hours they can work.

The other options reference different aspects of labor law but do not specifically pertain to working hours and wages. The Fair Employment Practices Act is primarily concerned with preventing workplace discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. The National Labor Relations Act focuses on the rights of employees to organize and engage in collective bargaining. The Occupational Safety and Health Act is dedicated to ensuring safe and healthy working conditions for workers but does not address wage and hour regulations directly.