{"id":357840,"date":"2016-04-04T10:45:29","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:45:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/employment\/wages-and-benefits\/fair-labor-standards-act.html"},"modified":"2025-04-14T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"2025-04-14T05:00:00","slug":"fair-labor-standards-act","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/employment\/wages-and-benefits\/fair-labor-standards-act.html","title":{"rendered":"Fair Labor Standards Act: Laws for Minimum Wage, Working Hours, and Other Protections"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 fl-sectionWithSidebar fl-container fl-flex fl-flex-wrap fl-gap30\">\n<div class=\"fl-page-articles fl-section-main fl-section-main-full-width\"><h1 class=\"fl-no-margin-top\">Fair Labor Standards Act: Laws for Minimum Wage, Working Hours, and Other Protections<\/h1>\n\n<section class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline\">\n    <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-content\">\n                    By <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team\/lisa-burden-j-d\/\">Lisa Burden, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by <a\n                href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team\/aviana-cooper-esq\/\">Aviana Cooper, Esq.<\/a>\n                | Last updated\n        <time>\n                            April 14, 2025\n                    <\/time>\n    <\/div>\n\n    \n    <details class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle fl-gutenberg-byline-legally-reviewed\">\n        <summary>\n            <i class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n            Legally Reviewed\n        <\/summary>\n\n        <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle-content\">\n            <p><em>This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team.html\">FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/company-history\/editorial-policy.html\">our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/details>\n\n    <details class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle fl-gutenberg-byline-fast-checked\">\n        <summary>\n            <i class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n            Fact-Checked\n        <\/summary>\n\n        <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle-content\">\n            <p><em>The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team\/contributing-authors.html\">contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please <a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/?fli=bylinelink\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n    <div class=\"fl-callout-text article-blockquote\">\n        <p>State laws govern many rules about working conditions, but the federal government also has a set of standards. The Fair Labor Standard Act (FLSA) is the key federal law covering wages, employee classification, hours, and other employment rights and obligations.<\/p>\n\n    <\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Navigating employment and labor laws can be as complex as it is crucial, particularly when it comes to understanding the basics of wages and employee protection. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.congress.gov\/crs-product\/R42713\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The&nbsp;FLSA<\/a> is a pivotal piece of federal legislation that establishes:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The federal minimum wage<\/li>\n<li>Overtime pay requirements<\/li>\n<li>Pay periods<\/li>\n<li>Employer recordkeeping requirements<\/li>\n<li>Child labor employment standards<\/li>\n<li>A 40-hour workweek<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The FLSA provides a baseline of protection for employees, including fair wages and reasonable working hours. If you believe your employer has violated your rights, contact an <a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/employment-law-employee\/?fli=dcta\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">employment law attorney<\/a>&nbsp;near you.<\/p>\n<p>The FLSA defines what kind of behavior qualifies as&nbsp;work.&nbsp;The federal law requires that you get paid for work you do, no matter the time or place. But, it is also&nbsp;the reason why you do not get paid for your commute to work.<\/p>\n<p>This article will help you learn more about the FLSA, including:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Minimum wage requirements<\/li>\n<li>Special rules for tipped employees like waitstaff<\/li>\n<li>The difference between an exempt and a nonexempt employee<\/li>\n<li>Child labor laws<\/li>\n<li>Other protections under the FLSA<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Eligible Employees Under the FLSA<\/h2>\n<p>The FLSA does not apply to all workers. The federal employment law affects:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Full-time and part-time private sector workers<\/li>\n<li>Federal, state, and local government employees<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>It does not apply to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/employment\/hiring-process\/independent-contractors-overview.html\">independent contractors<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2>Enforcement of FLSA Protections<\/h2>\n<p>The U.S. Department of Labor&#8217;s (DOL) <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dol.gov\/agencies\/whd\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Wage and Hour Division<\/a> (WHD) enforces the federal employment and labor law. It investigates FLSA complaints and may order fines, payment of back wages, job reinstatement, and other remedies, including changes that bring the employer into compliance with the law. Repeated willful violations can lead to criminal prosecution.<\/p>\n<p>The Department of Labor collaborates with labor departments across individual states. Every state maintains <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dol.gov\/agencies\/whd\/state\/contacts\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">its own Department of Labor<\/a> and establishes its own specific labor laws.<\/p>\n<h2>FLSA Coverage<\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dol.gov\/agencies\/whd\/fact-sheets\/14-flsa-coverage\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">FLSA&nbsp;compliance<\/a>&nbsp;begins with knowing whether the law covers a small business or employer. Some federal employment laws ask employers to count employees to determine if they apply. But, the requirements of the FLSA are a little different. The FLSA has two ways for the law to apply:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><p><b>Enterprise coverage<\/b>: The business has at least two employees and annual sales of $500,000.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li><p><b>Individual coverage<\/b>: The FLSA protects employees even when there is no enterprise coverage if their work regularly involves interstate commerce or the production of goods for commerce. Interstate coverage is broadly defined. For example, companies that regularly use the mail to send and receive letters via U.S. mail are engaged in interstate commerce. Employees using company telephones or computers to place or accept business calls or take orders can also subject an employer to the FLSA.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The FLSA requirements apply if a small business or employer meets either criteria.<\/p>\n<h2>Federal Minimum Wage<\/h2>\n<p>Under the FLSA, employees receive a minimum hourly wage. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/employment\/wages-and-benefits\/minimum-wage-and-overtime-basics.html\">federal minimum wage<\/a> is $7.25 per hour. But, many states have enacted higher state minimums. In addition, some cities and counties have also enacted higher minimum wage laws.<\/p>\n<p>If state or local laws specify a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/employment\/wages-and-benefits\/state-minimum-wage-laws.html\">higher minimum wage<\/a>, then the FLSA&#8217;s minimum wage does not apply, and employees must receive the higher mandated wage in the area where they work.<\/p>\n<p>There are exceptions to the minimum wage rate that allows employers to pay some workers a lesser hourly wage, i.e., a subminimum wage. These include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Tipped employees:&nbsp;Employers may pay <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/employment\/wages-and-benefits\/tipped-employees-under-the-flsa.html\">tipped workers<\/a> like waiters&nbsp;$2.13 an hour.<\/li>\n<li>Workers with disabilities:&nbsp;Employers who <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dol.gov\/agencies\/whd\/fact-sheets\/39-14c-subminimum-wage\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">receive&nbsp;certification<\/a>&nbsp;from the Wage and Hour Division can pay less than minimum wage to some workers with disabilities.<\/li>\n<li>Youth minimum wage:&nbsp;During the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dol.gov\/agencies\/whd\/fact-sheets\/32-minimum-wage-youth\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">first 90 days of employment<\/a>, full-time students who are under 20 years old can be paid $4.25 an hour as long as they are not hired to displace other workers. This exception is rarely used. After the 90 days is over, pay reverts to the $7.25 minimum wage.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>FLSA Overtime Compensation<\/h2>\n<p>The FLSA regulates overtime pay. Under the FLSA&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/employment\/wages-and-benefits\/minimum-wage-and-overtime-basics.html\">overtime rules<\/a>, employers must pay non-exempt workers one-and-one-half times (time and a half) their regular rate of pay&nbsp;when the number of hours they work exceeds 40 hours in a workweek. Federal law defines a workweek as any consecutive seven-day period of time.<\/p>\n<p>Once again, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/employment\/wages-and-benefits\/state-minimum-wage-laws.html\">state law and municipal law<\/a> can apply. In some states and municipalities, more than eight or 10 hours worked in a day can trigger overtime pay requirements. It does not matter whether the employee works more than 40 hours a week.<\/p>\n<p>Some workers do not qualify for overtime compensation. Although employees are either&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/employment\/wages-and-benefits\/exempt-employees-vs-nonexempt-employees.html\">exempt&nbsp;or&nbsp;non-exempt<\/a>,&nbsp;few know what the terms mean. Exempt employees are not entitled to overtime pay regardless of the number of hours they work. Exempt employees are generally professional workers.<\/p>\n<p>Nonexempt employees are generally hourly workers. Nonexempt employees earn overtime pay.<\/p>\n<h2>Exempt Employees<\/h2>\n<p>The FLSA <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dol.gov\/agencies\/whd\/fact-sheets\/17a-overtime\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">provides several&nbsp;exemptions<\/a>&nbsp;from minimum wage and overtime pay requirements.&nbsp;Employers must consider salaries and job duties in determining whether workers are exempt from the FLSA&#8217;s overtime pay requirements.<\/p>\n<p>There are several available exemptions under the FLSA, including bona fide jobs that qualify as:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Executive<\/li>\n<li>Administrative<\/li>\n<li>Professional<\/li>\n<li>Outside sales<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Employers must meet two tests\u2014<a href=\"https:\/\/www.dol.gov\/agencies\/whd\/fact-sheets\/17a-overtime\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">salary basis and job duties<\/a>\u2014for each exemption if they want to exempt workers from overtime pay. The salary basis test requires that employees earn more than $684 per week, with an exception for the outside sales exemption. Once employees meet the salary threshold, the assessment considers their job duties. The exemptions vary in their required job duties.<\/p>\n<h2>FLSA Pay Periods<\/h2>\n<p>The FLSA provides some rules on when employees should be paid. Employers must pay employees on the regular payday for the pay period in which they worked those hours. Courts have interpreted the FLSA to require <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/employment\/wages-and-benefits\/payday-laws-overview.html\">prompt wage payment<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>FLSA-exempt employees must be paid at least once a month. Other employees must be paid at least twice a month.<\/p>\n<p>State laws, however, often provide additional requirements.<\/p>\n<h2>Compensatory Time<\/h2>\n<p>Compensatory time off (comp time) is paid time off that an employee earns instead of a cash payment for working overtime hours. The FLSA limits comp time to public sector employees such as police, firefighters, emergency response personnel, etc.<\/p>\n<h2>Child Labor Standards<\/h2>\n<p>The FLSA has several&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.youthrules.gov\/index.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">child labor provisions<\/a>. Minors must be at least 16 years of age to work most non-farm jobs under the FLSA. Some states have different rules.<\/p>\n<p>The FLSA <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dol.gov\/agencies\/whd\/fact-sheets\/43-child-labor-non-agriculture\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">does not apply<\/a> to children working as actors, delivering newspapers, or casually babysitting in private homes.<\/p>\n<h2>Meal and Break Time Under the FLSA<\/h2>\n<p>The federal law generally does not <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/employment\/wages-and-benefits\/meal-break-and-rest-break-laws.html\">require meal or break periods<\/a>. But, if an employer offers a meal or break time, some rules apply:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Short breaks are paid. A short break, called a rest period, generally lasts five to 20 minutes.<\/li>\n<li>Meal periods are unpaid as long as the employee is relieved of their job duties during the meal break. The meal period is paid if the employee is not fully relieved of job duties.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Additionally, the FLSA requires employers to offer break time and space <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/employment\/wages-and-benefits\/break-time-for-nursing-mothers-laws.html\">to nursing mothers<\/a> to express breast milk for up to two years after the birth of a child.<\/p>\n<h2>Worker Protections for Tipped Employees<\/h2>\n<p>Employers can pay&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/employment\/wages-and-benefits\/tipped-employees-under-the-flsa.html\">tipped workers<\/a>&nbsp;a reduced hourly wage of $2.13. Should the total of their wage and tips fall short of the federal minimum wage of&nbsp;$7.25 per hour, the employer must compensate for the shortfall in hourly wage payments.<\/p>\n<h2>Farm Workers Protections<\/h2>\n<p>The FLSA covers&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.dol.gov\/agencies\/whd\/fact-sheets\/12-flsa-agriculture\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">farm workers<\/a>&nbsp;because of the production of goods for interstate commerce. But, they are exempt from some of the FLSA&#8217;s wage and hour laws. The FLSA does not require that&nbsp;agricultural workers&nbsp;receive federal overtime pay when they work more than 40 hours of work in a workweek.<\/p>\n<p>There are <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/employment\/wages-and-benefits\/farm-workers-and-h2b-workers-rights.html\">other requirements<\/a>:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Farm workers are entitled to receive at least the federal minimum wage or the promised wages, whichever is higher.<\/li>\n<li>Employers must furnish farm workers with a detailed written account of their earnings and all applicable pay deductions.<\/li>\n<li>Employers have an obligation to supply farm workers with clear, written details regarding their pay and work conditions in a language that is comprehensible to them.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Equal Pay for Women<\/h2>\n<p>The FLSA also forbids wage discrimination based on sex by requiring that men and women in the same workplace receive equal pay for equal work. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/employment\/employment-discrimination\/equal-pay-and-discrimination-against-women.html\">Equal Pay Act (EPA) of 1963<\/a> is an employment and labor law that is part of the FLSA.<\/p>\n<h2>Protection Against Retaliation<\/h2>\n<p>The FLSA provides strong protections against retaliation for employees who assert their rights under the law. Employers <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/employment\/losing-a-job\/retaliation-and-wrongful-termination.html\">can&#8217;t retaliate against you<\/a> when you engage in&nbsp;protected activities,&nbsp;such as:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Complaining directly to your employer<\/li>\n<li>Filing a complaint with the authorities<\/li>\n<li>Alleging a violation<\/li>\n<li>Otherwise asserting your rights under the FLSA<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>If retaliation occurs, you can <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dol.gov\/agencies\/whd\/contact\/complaints\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">file a complaint<\/a> for retaliation with the U.S. Department of Labor&#8217;s Wage and Hour Division or pursue a private lawsuit.<\/p>\n<h2>Employer Recordkeeping Requirements<\/h2>\n<p>Employers demonstrate compliance with FLSA requirements through proper recordkeeping. Some employers might think that not keeping records will aid them if an FLSA audit or investigation occurs. Violating recordkeeping rules is a separate violation. The failure to keep proper records can result in separate citations and penalties.<\/p>\n<p>Key employer <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dol.gov\/agencies\/whd\/fact-sheets\/21-flsa-recordkeeping\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">recordkeeping requirements<\/a> under the FLSA include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Employers must keep records of employees&#8217; wages, hours worked daily,&nbsp;and total hours worked each workweek.<\/li>\n<li>For non-exempt employees, records must indicate the regular hourly rate of pay, the overtime hourly rate of pay, and additions or deductions to wages.<\/li>\n<li>Employers should also maintain records, such as employees&#8217; job descriptions and duties, to determine exempt vs. non-exempt status.<\/li>\n<li>FLSA records must be kept for at least three years. Some states require longer record retention periods.<\/li>\n<li>The records must be available for inspection by the U.S. Department of Labor&#8217;s Wage and Hour Division, which enforces FLSA rules.<\/li>\n<li>Records can be maintained on paper or electronically as long as they are accessible, accurate, and unaltered.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Employment Protections Are Still Evolving<\/h2>\n<p>The FLSA continues to evolve. There have been many amendments to the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938.<\/p>\n<p>For example, in December 2022, President Joe Biden signed the \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.dol.gov\/agencies\/whd\/nursing-mothers\/faq\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">PUMP for Nursing Mothers Act<\/a>&quot; (PUMP Act) into law. The new law, an amendment to the FLSA, requires that employers provide break time for employees to express breast milk for a nursing child for up to&nbsp;one year after the child&#8217;s birth.<\/p>\n<p>Before the passage of the PUMP Act, hourly workers had the right to breaks for pumping breast milk. The PUMP Act extended that right to millions of salaried workers.<\/p>\n<h2>Need Help Understanding Employment Rights? Contact a Lawyer<\/h2>\n<p>The FLSA is a complex and important workplace law. State and federal regulators are keen on enforcing its requirements. If you are an employer, you must understand and apply the law to your employees. If you are an employee, it&#8217;s important to know your rights. Contact an&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/employment-law-employee\/?fli=dcta\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">employment lawyer<\/a>&nbsp;to learn more.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"was-this-helpful\">\n    <div\n            class=\"was-this-helpful__question-container\"\n            aria-labelledby=\"was-this-helpful__question\"\n            role=\"group\"\n    >\n        <span\n                id=\"was-this-helpful__question\"\n                class=\"was-this-helpful__question fl-text-lg-bold\"\n        >Was this helpful?<\/span>\n        <button\n                class=\"was-this-helpful__button fl-text-sm\"\n                aria-label=\"Yes\"\n                value=\"yes\"\n        >\n            <span class=\"was-this-helpful__button-text fl-text-bold\">Yes<\/span>\n            <i class=\"was-this-helpful__button-icon\">\n                <svg width=\"22\" height=\"22\" viewBox=\"0 0 22 22\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n                    <g id=\"thumbs-up\" clip-path=\"url(#clip0_604_3418)\">\n                        <path id=\"Vector\"\n                              d=\"M6 21H3C2.46957 21 1.96086 20.7893 1.58579 20.4142C1.21071 20.0391 1 19.5304 1 19V12C1 11.4696 1.21071 10.9609 1.58579 10.5858C1.96086 10.2107 2.46957 10 3 10H6M13 8V4C13 3.20435 12.6839 2.44129 12.1213 1.87868C11.5587 1.31607 10.7956 1 10 1L6 10V21H17.28C17.7623 21.0055 18.2304 20.8364 18.5979 20.524C18.9654 20.2116 19.2077 19.7769 19.28 19.3L20.66 10.3C20.7035 10.0134 20.6842 9.72068 20.6033 9.44225C20.5225 9.16382 20.3821 8.90629 20.1919 8.68751C20.0016 8.46873 19.7661 8.29393 19.5016 8.17522C19.2371 8.0565 18.9499 7.99672 18.66 8H13Z\"\n                              stroke=\"#666666\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\"\n                              stroke-linejoin=\"round\"><\/path>\n                    <\/g>\n                    <defs>\n                        <clipPath id=\"clip0_604_3418\">\n                            <rect width=\"22\" height=\"22\" fill=\"white\"><\/rect>\n                        <\/clipPath>\n                    <\/defs>\n                <\/svg>\n            <\/i>\n        <\/button>\n        <button\n                class=\"was-this-helpful__button fl-text-sm\"\n                aria-label=\"No\"\n                value=\"no\"\n        >\n            <span class=\"was-this-helpful__button-text fl-text-bold\">No<\/span>\n            <i class=\"was-this-helpful__button-icon\">\n                <svg width=\"22\" height=\"22\" viewBox=\"0 0 22 22\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n                    <g id=\"thumbs-down\" clip-path=\"url(#clip0_604_3423)\">\n                        <path id=\"Vector\"\n                              d=\"M16 0.999995H18.67C19.236 0.989986 19.7859 1.18813 20.2154 1.55681C20.645 1.9255 20.9242 2.43905 21 3V10C20.9242 10.5609 20.645 11.0745 20.2154 11.4432C19.7859 11.8119 19.236 12.01 18.67 12H16M9.00003 14V18C9.00003 18.7956 9.3161 19.5587 9.87871 20.1213C10.4413 20.6839 11.2044 21 12 21L16 12V0.999995H4.72003C4.2377 0.994543 3.76965 1.16359 3.40212 1.47599C3.0346 1.78839 2.79235 2.22309 2.72003 2.7L1.34003 11.7C1.29652 11.9866 1.31586 12.2793 1.39669 12.5577C1.47753 12.8362 1.61793 13.0937 1.80817 13.3125C1.99842 13.5313 2.23395 13.7061 2.49846 13.8248C2.76297 13.9435 3.05012 14.0033 3.34003 14H9.00003Z\"\n                              stroke=\"#666666\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\"\/>\n                    <\/g>\n                    <defs>\n                        <clipPath id=\"clip0_604_3423\">\n                            <rect width=\"22\" height=\"22\" fill=\"white\"\/>\n                        <\/clipPath>\n                    <\/defs>\n                <\/svg>\n            <\/i>\n        <\/button>\n    <\/div>\n    <span class=\"was-this-helpful__taken-action fl-text-sm-bold\"><\/span>\n    <div class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-container\">\n        <div class=\"was-this-helpful__choose-option-message\" role=\"status\">\n            <p class=\"was-this-helpful__choose-option-message-text\"><\/p>\n        <\/div>\n        <form class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-form\">\n            <div class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback was-this-helpful__feedback--positive\">\n                <fieldset>\n                    <legend class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Why was this helpful?<\/legend>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--understandable\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"positive-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Easy to understand\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--understandable\"\n                        >Easy to understand<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--solved-problem\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"positive-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Solved my problem\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--solved-problem\"\n                        >Solved my problem<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--other\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"positive-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Other\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--other\"\n                        >Other<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/fieldset>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback was-this-helpful__feedback--negative\">\n                <fieldset>\n                    <legend class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Why was this not helpful?<\/legend>\n                    <div class=\"was-this-helpful__choose-option-message\" role=\"status\">\n                        <p class=\"was-this-helpful__choose-option-message-text\"><\/p>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--missing-info\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"negative-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Missing Information\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--missing-info\"\n                        >Missing the information I need<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--complicated\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"negative-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Too complicated\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--complicated\"\n                        >Too complicated \/ too many steps<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--dated\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"negative-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Out of date\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--dated\"\n                        >Out of date<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--negative-other\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"negative-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Other\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--negative-other\"\n                        >Other<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/fieldset>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"was-this-helpful__form-buttons-container\">\n                <button\n                    class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-button was-this-helpful__feedback-button--positive at-feedback-submit fl-button secondary\"\n                    type=\"submit\"\n                >\n                    <span class=\"fl-button-content\">Submit<\/span>\n                    <i\n                        class=\"fa fa-angle-right medium\"\n                        aria-hidden=\"true\"\n                    ><\/i>\n                <\/button>\n                <button\n                    class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-button was-this-helpful__feedback-button--cancel fl-button primary disabled\"\n                    type=\"reset\"\n                >\n                    <span class=\"fl-button-content\">Cancel<\/span>\n                    <i\n                        class=\"fa fa-times-circle medium\"\n                        aria-hidden=\"true\"\n                    ><\/i>\n                <\/button>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/form>\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"was-this-helpful__thank-you-message\" role=\"status\">\n        <i class=\"was-this-helpful__thank-you-message-icon fa fa-check\"><\/i>\n        <p class=\"was-this-helpful__thank-you-message-text\" aria-live=\"polite\"><\/p>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"fl-section-sidebar\"><div class=\"fl-editors-summary\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary\">\n    \n    <div class=\"fl-editors-summary-content\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content\">\n                    <h2>Can I Solve This on My Own or Do I Need an Attorney?<\/h2>\n                <div class=\"fl-editors-summary-content-main\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-main\">\n            \n        <\/div>\n        <ul class=\"fl-list-style-none\">\n                            <li data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-item\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-check medium fl-editors-summary-content-item-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                    Some employment legal issues can be solved without an attorney\n\n                <\/li>\n                            <li data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-item\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-check medium fl-editors-summary-content-item-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                    Complex employment law cases (such as harassment or discrimination) need the help of an attorney to protect your interests\n\n                <\/li>\n                    <\/ul>\n                    <div class=\"fl-editors-summary-content-description\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-description\">\n                <p>Legal cases for wage and benefit issues, whistleblower actions, or workplace safety can be complicated and slow. An attorney can offer tailored advice and help prevent common mistakes.<\/p>\n\n            <\/div>\n                            <div class=\"fl-editors-summary-content-link fl-flex\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-link\">\n                <i class=\"fa fa-angle-right medium\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                <p class=\"find-attorney\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/employment-law-employee\/#USER_GEO\/?fli=esum:FL17\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Find a local attorney<\/a><\/p>\n\n            <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"email-subscription fl-mb30\">\n    <div class=\"email-subscription-header\">\n        <div class=\"email-subscription-header-content\">\n            <h3 class=\"fl-callout-sm fl-no-margin\">Stay Up-to-Date With How the Law Affects Your Life<\/h3>\n        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"email-subscription-header-image fl-flex fl-items-end\">\n            <img decoding=\"async\"\n                src=\"https://www.findlaw.com/static/c/images\/images\/w_1200,c_limit,dpr_auto\/f_auto,q_auto:eco\/v1745902396\/ability-law\/wp-prod\/general-components-subscribe-module-Image-subscribeModule_1\/general-components-subscribe-module-Image-subscribeModule_1.png?_i=AA\"\n                alt=\"\"\n                loading=\"lazy\"\n            \/>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n    <div class=\"email-subscription-content fl-flex fl-flex-wrap\">\n        <div class=\"email-subscription-content-text fl-mb25\">\n            <h4 class=\"fl-no-margin\">Enter your email address to subscribe<\/h4>\n        <\/div>\n\n        <form class=\"email-subscription-content-form\">\n            <input type=\"hidden\" name=\"distributionList\" value=\"latl\" \/>\n            <label for=\"email-subscription-content-form-group-input\" class=\"fl-text-sm-bold\">Email (Required)<\/label>\n            <div class=\"email-subscription-content-form-group\">\n                <input id=\"email-subscription-content-form-group-input\" name=\"email\" autocomplete=\"email\"\/>\n                <button type=\"submit\" aria-label=\"Submit\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-angle-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                <\/button>\n            <\/div>\n            <p class=\"email-subscription-content-form-success subscribe-success-message fl-text-sm-bold\" aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"status\">Thank you for subscribing!<\/p>\n            <p class=\"email-subscription-content-form-error subscribe-error-message fl-text-sm-bold\" role=\"alert\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/p>\n\n            <div id=\"email-subscription-content-form-recaptcha\" class=\"email-subscription-content-form-recaptcha subscribe-recaptcha\"\n                data-sitekey=\"0x4AAAAAAABGBEkK9kEeKxO-\"><\/div>\n        <\/form>\n\n        <div class=\"email-subscription-content-footer fl-text-sm\">\n            <p><a href=\"https:\/\/newsletters.findlaw.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Learn more about FindLaw\u2019s newsletters<\/a>, including our terms of use and privacy policy.<\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"general-list\">\n    <h3>Helpful Links<\/h3>\n    <ul class=\"fl-list fl-no-margin\">\n                                    <li class=\"fl-list-item fl-flex\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-angle-right medium\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                    <a class=\"fl-list-item-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/employment\/whistleblowers\/protection-for-whistleblowers.html\">\n                        Whistleblower Protections\n                    <\/a>\n                <\/li>\n                                                <li class=\"fl-list-item fl-flex\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-angle-right medium\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                    <a class=\"fl-list-item-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/employment\/legal-help-and-resources\/using-an-employment-attorney.html\">\n                        Using an Employment Attorney\n                    <\/a>\n                <\/li>\n                                                <li class=\"fl-list-item fl-flex\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-angle-right medium\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                    <a class=\"fl-list-item-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/employment\/losing-a-job\/employee-rights-after-a-job-termination.html\">\n                        Employee Rights After Job Loss\n                    <\/a>\n                <\/li>\n                        <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n    <div class=\"popularDirectory\">\n        <div class=\"general-popular-directory \">\n            <div class=\"general-popular-directory-title\">\n                <h3>Attorney Directory<\/h3>\n            <\/div>\n            <ul>\n                                    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/wage-hour\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Wage and Hour Laws  Lawyers<\/a><\/li>\n                                    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/wrongful-termination\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Wrongful Termination Lawyers<\/a><\/li>\n                                    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/discrimination\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Discrimination Lawyers<\/a><\/li>\n                                    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/employment-law-employee\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Employment Law Attorneys<\/a><\/li>\n                                    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/labor-law\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Labor Law Attorneys<\/a><\/li>\n                                    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/whistleblower-qui-tam\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Whistleblower\/Qui Tam Lawyers<\/a><\/li>\n                                    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/sexual-harassment\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Sexual Harassment Lawyers<\/a><\/li>\n                            <\/ul>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), is the main federal law that sets the bar for employees&#8217; wages, hours, and other protections. Learn more at FindLaw.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":41135,"featured_media":0,"parent":357813,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"app\/Http\/Controllers\/Templates\/ArticleWithBreadcrumbsController.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_stopmodifiedupdate":true,"_modified_date":"","_autodraft_ids":[],"_cloudinary_featured_overwrite":false,"_sb_is_suggestion_mode":false,"_sb_show_suggestion_boards":false,"_sb_show_comment_boards":false,"_sb_suggestion_history":"","_sb_update_block_changes":"","_is_real_time_mode":false,"_realtime_collaborators":"","footnotes":"","cf_checklist_status":["External Links","Alt Text for All Images","Category Assigned","Rank Math SEO Plugin Validation"]},"categories":[2739],"tags":[],"state_laws_tags":[],"flmsa":[],"class_list":["post-357840","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","category-employment"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/357840","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/41135"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=357840"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/357840\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":396322,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/357840\/revisions\/396322"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/357813"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=357840"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=357840"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=357840"},{"taxonomy":"state_laws_tags","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/state_laws_tags?post=357840"},{"taxonomy":"flmsa","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/flmsa?post=357840"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}