{"id":357881,"date":"2016-04-04T10:45:32","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:45:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/employment\/wages-and-benefits\/wage-and-hour-laws-for-home-care-workers.html"},"modified":"2025-03-26T11:46:00","modified_gmt":"2025-03-26T16:46:00","slug":"wage-and-hour-laws-for-home-care-workers","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/employment\/wages-and-benefits\/wage-and-hour-laws-for-home-care-workers.html","title":{"rendered":"Home Care Workers: Overtime and Other Wage and Hour Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Home Care Workers: Overtime and Other Wage and Hour Laws<\/h1>\n
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\n By Lisa Burden, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Melissa Bender, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

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Specific wage and hour laws under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) govern home care workers. These laws mandate minimum wage and overtime pay, with variations depending on if the worker is employed by an agency or by a private individual. Exemptions exist for companionship and live-in home service workers.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n

Home care workers provide essential services to some of society’s most vulnerable members, yet they often face unique challenges over wage and hour regulations. Understanding these rules is vital for legal compliance and protecting workers’ rights and livelihoods.<\/p>\n

Navigating the details of wage and overtime protections can get confusing. Contact a local employment law attorney<\/a> for help understanding exemptions and your rights under the law.<\/p>\n

In recent years, the wage and hour laws applicable to home care workers have gotten increased attention. This is because of changes in federal regulations and heightened awareness of labor rights. The U.S. Department of Labor updated the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) rules for home care workers in 2015<\/a>. These rules govern minimum wage, overtime pay, and record-keeping requirements. They vary significantly depending on whether a person or an agency hires the caregiver.<\/p>\n

This article covers the wage and hour requirements for home care workers under the FLSA, including exemptions for companionship services and live-in service workers. See FindLaw’s Wage and Hour Laws<\/a> section for more.<\/p>\n

What Is a Domestic Service Worker?<\/h2>\n

According to the U.S. Department of Labor<\/a> (DOL), domestic service workers include:<\/p>\n