mardi 14 janvier 2014

Understanding FLSA Laws And Regulations

By Marissa Velazquez


In 1938, the Fair Labor Standards Act was established. The latter is also simply referred to as the FLSA laws. The information defined in this Act affected all working American citizens. Although somewhat controversial when first passed, it revolutionized many aspects concerning labor and wages.

The regulations were administered by the US Labor Department. In specific, the division of wages and hours enforced the law at the federal level. The law was signed into effect by then-President Roosevelt, and Congress and the Supreme Court have defeated several attempts to repeal the law. Even though a small number of changes were made to the Act from time to time by Congress, it remains quite similar to its original form.

The law covers the basic workday, wages, and pay for overtime. Regulations concerning the latter may differ from state to state. However, most parts of the Act are enforced nationwide, as mentioned above.

Although there is no set pattern to the time frame or the increases, federal minimum wage is typically raised on a regular basis. It was raised most recently in 2009 in the month of January, when it increased to a minimum of $7.25. Roosevelt's law initially proposed that these increases adhere to a specific pattern; however, this is no longer in force.

As mentioned above, overtime is also addressed FLSA laws, the latter of which is defined as any time one spends on the clock in excess of forty hours in a single week of work. The rate for federal overtime pay is defined as one and a half times the person's standard rate of pay. Although a national standard is guaranteed under the original law, each state may modify how and when they pay overtime.

The aforementioned Act also regulates standards for record-keeping. Companies must maintain logs of each employee's personal information, the rate of pay he or she receives, and the hours the person works. Businesses must also track daily and weekly earnings, overtime pay, and any deductions or additions associated with the individual's compensation. Employers must also define pay so that all workers know the exact hours for which they are being receiving a paycheck.

Standards for youth workers are somewhat different under this law. For example, minors between the ages of fourteen and seventeen may work up to three hours a day, or eighteen hours a week when school is in session. However, they are permitted to work up to a forty hour week, including eight hour work days during holiday periods. Child labor laws prohibit those under fourteen from working in most cases, with the exception of newspaper routes or similar jobs.

FLSA laws were created to protect United States citizens from oppressive labor practices. However, some individuals who own companies attempt to circumvent such laws. Therefore, those who feel they are being subjected to an unfair work environment, or suspect that any of the child labor laws are being broken, should not delay, but speak to the proper authorities at once.




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