The Fair Labor Standards Act Desk Reference is a reference tool for private (nongovernmental) employers to help them understand the key requirements of the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Different provisions of the FLSA apply to governmental employees, thus these employers should not rely on this Desk Reference. This desk reference discusses the basics of the minimum wage, overtime, and time-keeping provisions of the Act, including deductions from wages, workweek issues, the concept of “hours worked” or “compensable working time,” and exemptions from the Act’s requirements that may be available to an employer. It also briefly discusses the Equal Pay Act and the child labor provisions of the FLSA.

The federal wage and hour laws continually evolve, and decisions regarding the best course of action depend on the employer’s specific circumstances. Similarly, state or local wage and hour laws may require more than the minimums set by the federal law. This booklet should help you identify issues and ask questions, but we do not recommend you take any action based solely on this material.