Ohio workers like you deserve a workplace environment where you can feel safe. This extends to all aspects of the job, including the labor you provide, the profit you make and safety standards.
To reach this end, several laws are in place to protect your rights as a worker. The Fair Labor Standards Act is one of these pieces of legislation.
What did the FLSA establish?
The U.S. Department of Labor discusses the Fair Labor Standards Act, or FLSA. This act established many crucial things to the modern workplace, including:
- Overtime pay
- Recordkeeping
- Youth employment standards
- Minimum wage
As of 2009, the federal hourly wage is a minimum of $7.25 an hour. When you are subject to both federal and state minimum wage, you can aim for whichever is higher.
How components of FLSA work
There are specific provisions for hours worked and recordkeeping, too. This prevents employers from taking advantage of their employees. Otherwise, they may demand enormous amounts of hours with no increase in pay.
Overtime also covers this. Any covered, nonexempt employees get overtime pay for any hour they work over 40 in a work week. The rate raise cannot be less than 1.5 times the amount of a regular pay day. Anyone over the age of 16 does not have a legal limit on the number of hours they work a week. The act does not demand overtime on weekends, regular days of rest or holidays.
Finally, child labor laws prevent employers from taking advantage of underage workers. For example, anyone under 16 must have a limit on the hours they work in a week. Underage workers often need more breaks as well.