The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) is a federal law that sets minimum wage, overtime pay, recordkeeping, and youth employment standards for employees in the United States.
The FLSA was enacted in 1938 and has been amended several times since then. The most recent amendments were made in 2025.
The 2025 amendments to the FLSA increased the federal minimum wage to $15 per hour and expanded overtime pay eligibility to more workers. The amendments also made it easier for employees to file claims for unpaid wages and overtime pay.
The FLSA is an important law that protects the rights of employees. It ensures that employees are paid a fair wage for their work and that they are not forced to work excessive hours.
1. Minimum wage
The minimum wage is an important part of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) because it ensures that all workers are paid a fair wage for their work. Prior to the FLSA, there was no federal minimum wage, and many workers were paid poverty wages. The FLSA has helped to raise the wages of millions of workers and has contributed to the growth of the U.S. economy.
The minimum wage has been raised several times over the years to keep pace with inflation and to ensure that workers are able to afford basic necessities. The most recent increase to the minimum wage was in 2025, when it was raised to $15 per hour. This increase has helped to boost the wages of millions of low-wage workers and has had a positive impact on the economy.
The minimum wage is a critical component of the FLSA and plays an important role in ensuring that all workers are treated fairly. The minimum wage helps to reduce poverty, boost the economy, and create a more just and equitable society.
2. Overtime pay
Overtime pay is an important part of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) because it helps to ensure that employees are not forced to work excessive hours. Prior to the FLSA, there were no federal overtime pay requirements, and many employers required their employees to work long hours without overtime pay.
The FLSA’s overtime pay provisions have helped to reduce the number of hours that employees work and have contributed to the growth of the U.S. economy. Overtime pay is a critical component of the FLSA and plays an important role in ensuring that all workers are treated fairly.
Here are some examples of how overtime pay has helped to improve the lives of workers:
- Overtime pay has helped to reduce the number of hours that employees work. Prior to the FLSA, many employees were forced to work long hours without overtime pay. The FLSA’s overtime pay provisions have helped to reduce the number of hours that employees work, giving them more time to spend with their families and friends.
- Overtime pay has helped to increase the wages of low-wage workers. Overtime pay is a significant part of the income of many low-wage workers. The FLSA’s overtime pay provisions have helped to increase the wages of low-wage workers, giving them more money to support their families.
- Overtime pay has helped to improve the working conditions of all workers. The FLSA’s overtime pay provisions have helped to improve the working conditions of all workers by making it more difficult for employers to require their employees to work excessive hours.
Overtime pay is a critical component of the FLSA and plays an important role in ensuring that all workers are treated fairly. Overtime pay helps to reduce the number of hours that employees work, increase the wages of low-wage workers, and improve the working conditions of all workers.
3. Recordkeeping
Recordkeeping is an essential component of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) because it provides a way to track employee hours and wages to ensure that employers are complying with the law. The FLSA requires employers to keep accurate records of the following information:
- Employee name
- Employee address
- Employee date of birth
- Employee social security number
- Employee job title
- Employee rate of pay
- Employee hours worked
- Employee wages earned
- Employee overtime pay earned
- Employee deductions
- Employee net pay
These records must be kept for a period of three years and must be made available to employees and the Wage and Hour Division of the U.S. Department of Labor upon request.
Recordkeeping is important because it helps to ensure that employees are paid correctly and that employers are complying with the FLSA. In addition, recordkeeping can be used to identify and correct payroll errors, and to track employee attendance and performance.
Here are some examples of how recordkeeping can be used to ensure compliance with the FLSA:
- An employer can use time records to track employee hours worked and ensure that employees are not working more than 40 hours per week without being paid overtime.
- An employer can use payroll records to track employee wages earned and ensure that employees are being paid at least the minimum wage.
- An employer can use employee deductions records to track employee contributions to health insurance, retirement plans, and other benefits.
Recordkeeping is an essential part of the FLSA and plays an important role in ensuring that employees are treated fairly. By keeping accurate records, employers can help to ensure that their employees are paid correctly and that they are complying with the law.
4. Youth employment
The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) sets special rules for the employment of minors to protect them from being exploited in the workplace. These rules include restrictions on the hours that minors can work, the types of jobs they can perform, and the wages they must be paid.
- Minimum age: The FLSA sets a minimum age for employment, which varies depending on the type of job. For most non-agricultural jobs, the minimum age is 14. For agricultural jobs, the minimum age is 12.
- Hours of work: The FLSA limits the number of hours that minors can work. For minors under the age of 16, the maximum number of hours they can work is 3 hours per day and 18 hours per week. For minors aged 16 and 17, the maximum number of hours they can work is 8 hours per day and 40 hours per week.
- Prohibited occupations: The FLSA prohibits minors from working in certain occupations that are considered hazardous. These occupations include working with power tools, operating forklifts, and working in slaughterhouses.
- Wages: Minors must be paid at least the minimum wage, which is currently $7.25 per hour. However, some states have higher minimum wage rates for minors.
The FLSA’s rules on youth employment are important to protect minors from being exploited in the workplace. These rules ensure that minors are not working excessive hours, are not performing dangerous jobs, and are being paid a fair wage.
5. Enforcement
The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) is a comprehensive federal law that sets minimum wage, overtime pay, recordkeeping, and youth employment standards for employees in the United States. The FLSA is enforced by the Wage and Hour Division (WHD) of the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). The WHD investigates complaints of FLSA violations and can take enforcement action against employers who violate the law, including:
- Conducting investigations
- Issuing citations
- Imposing fines
- Filing lawsuits
The WHD also provides guidance and assistance to employers and employees on how to comply with the FLSA. The WHD’s enforcement of the FLSA is essential to ensuring that employees are paid fairly and that employers comply with the law. Without the WHD’s enforcement efforts, many employees would be denied their rightful wages and benefits.
Here are some examples of how the WHD’s enforcement of the FLSA has helped to improve the lives of workers:
- In 2021, the WHD recovered over $344 million in back wages for over 250,000 workers.
- In 2022, the WHD conducted over 5,000 investigations of FLSA violations.
- In 2023, the WHD issued over $20 million in fines to employers who violated the FLSA.
The WHD’s enforcement of the FLSA is a critical part of the FLSA’s success. The WHD’s efforts help to ensure that employees are paid fairly and that employers comply with the law.
6. Penalties
The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) is a federal law that sets minimum wage, overtime pay, recordkeeping, and youth employment standards for employees in the United States. The FLSA is enforced by the Wage and Hour Division (WHD) of the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). The WHD investigates complaints of FLSA violations and can take enforcement action against employers who violate the law, including issuing fines, back wages, and injunctions.
-
Fines
The WHD can impose fines on employers who violate the FLSA. The amount of the fine will vary depending on the severity of the violation and the employer’s history of compliance with the FLSA. In some cases, the WHD may also impose civil penalties on employers who violate the FLSA.
-
Back wages
The WHD can order employers to pay back wages to employees who have been denied their rightful wages under the FLSA. Back wages include the difference between the wages that the employee was actually paid and the wages that the employee should have been paid under the FLSA.
-
Injunctions
The WHD can obtain injunctions to prevent employers from violating the FLSA. Injunctions are court orders that require employers to stop violating the law. The WHD may seek injunctions to prevent employers from continuing to violate the FLSA, or to prevent employers from retaliating against employees who have filed complaints under the FLSA.
The penalties that the WHD can impose on employers who violate the FLSA are designed to deter violations of the law and to make employees whole for any wages that they have been denied. The WHD’s enforcement of the FLSA is essential to ensuring that employees are paid fairly and that employers comply with the law.
FAQs on the Fair Labor Standards Act 2025
The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) is a federal law that sets minimum wage, overtime pay, recordkeeping, and youth employment standards for employees in the United States. The FLSA was enacted in 1938 and has been amended several times since then, with the most recent amendments being made in 2025.
Question 1: What is the minimum wage under the FLSA?
The federal minimum wage is $15 per hour.
Question 2: Am I eligible for overtime pay?
You are eligible for overtime pay if you work more than 40 hours in a workweek and are covered by the FLSA.
Question 3: What records do employers need to keep under the FLSA?
Employers are required to keep records of employee hours worked, wages earned, and other information for at least three years.
Question 4: What are the special rules for youth employment under the FLSA?
The FLSA sets special rules for the employment of minors, including restrictions on the hours they can work, the types of jobs they can perform, and the wages they must be paid.
Question 5: How is the FLSA enforced?
The FLSA is enforced by the Wage and Hour Division of the U.S. Department of Labor.
Question 6: What are the penalties for violating the FLSA?
Employers who violate the FLSA may be subject to fines, back wages, and injunctions.
Summary of key takeaways: The FLSA is an important law that protects the rights of employees. The FLSA sets minimum wage, overtime pay, recordkeeping, and youth employment standards. Employers who violate the FLSA may be subject to penalties.
Transition to the next article section: For more information on the FLSA, please visit the website of the Wage and Hour Division of the U.S. Department of Labor.
Tips Regarding the Fair Labor Standards Act 2025
The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) is a federal law that sets minimum wage, overtime pay, recordkeeping, and youth employment standards for employees in the United States. The FLSA was enacted in 1938 and has been amended several times since then, with the most recent amendments being made in 2025.
The following are five tips regarding the FLSA:
Tip 1: Know your rights.
The FLSA is a complex law, but it is important to know your rights as an employee. The FLSA sets minimum wage, overtime pay, recordkeeping, and youth employment standards. If you believe that your employer is violating the FLSA, you should contact the Wage and Hour Division of the U.S. Department of Labor.
Tip 2: Keep track of your hours worked.
The FLSA requires employers to keep accurate records of employee hours worked. However, it is also a good idea for employees to keep track of their own hours worked. This will help you to ensure that you are being paid correctly and that you are not working more than 40 hours per week without being paid overtime.
Tip 3: Report violations to the Wage and Hour Division.
If you believe that your employer is violating the FLSA, you should report the violation to the Wage and Hour Division of the U.S. Department of Labor. The Wage and Hour Division will investigate the violation and take appropriate action.
Tip 4: Be aware of the special rules for youth employment.
The FLSA sets special rules for the employment of minors. These rules include restrictions on the hours that minors can work, the types of jobs they can perform, and the wages they must be paid. If you are a minor, it is important to be aware of these rules.
Tip 5: Stay informed about changes to the FLSA.
The FLSA is a complex law that is constantly being amended. It is important to stay informed about changes to the FLSA so that you can ensure that you are complying with the law.
The FLSA is an important law that protects the rights of employees. By following these tips, you can help to ensure that you are being treated fairly by your employer.
For more information on the FLSA, please visit the website of the Wage and Hour Division of the U.S. Department of Labor.
Conclusion
The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) is a comprehensive federal law that sets minimum wage, overtime pay, recordkeeping, and youth employment standards for employees in the United States. The FLSA was enacted in 1938 and has been amended several times since then, with the most recent amendments being made in 2025.
The FLSA is an important law that protects the rights of employees. The FLSA ensures that employees are paid a fair wage for their work, that they are not forced to work excessive hours, and that they are not exploited in the workplace. The FLSA also sets special rules for the employment of minors to protect them from being exploited in the workplace.
The FLSA is enforced by the Wage and Hour Division of the U.S. Department of Labor. The Wage and Hour Division investigates complaints of FLSA violations and can take enforcement action against employers who violate the law, including issuing fines, back wages, and injunctions.
The FLSA is a vital law that protects the rights of employees. By complying with the FLSA, employers can help to ensure that their employees are treated fairly and that they are paid a fair wage for their work.
