What act regulates the amount of wages and overtime a business pays to its hourly employees?
The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) prescribes standards for wages in overtime pay, which affect most private and public employment. The FLSA requires employers to pay covered employees who are not otherwise exempt at least the federal minimum wage of one and one half times the regular rate of pay. Furthermore, for non-agricultural operations, the FLSA restricts the hours of children under the age of 16 can work: a minor under 16 may not be employed between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m., more than four (4) hours a day during the school year, more than eight (8) hours a day during vacations, and not more than 40 hours per week. The FLSA also forbids the employment of children under the age of 18 in certain jobs deemed to be too dangerous. Agricultural operations, the FLSA prohibits the employment of children under the age of 16 during school hours and also forbids the employment of children under the age of 16 in certain jobs deemed too dangerous.
