Known at the wage-hour law, which Act established minimum wages and maximum hours for workers engaged in covered Interstate commerce, and in 2004 new regulations provided criteria for determining which employees are subject to or exempt from the overtime?

• A. Wage and Hour Act
• B. Fair Labor Standards Act
• C. Americans with Disabilities Act
• D. Equal Pay Act

Answer: (B)

The fundamental law here is the Fair Labor Standards Act, which established federal minimum wage and overtime protections for workers engaged in interstate commerce. It requires non‑exempt employees to be paid overtime—typically at one and a half times their regular rate—for hours worked over 40 in a workweek. The act covers many private and public sector workers, with coverage extending to those involved in interstate commerce or work connected to it. In 2004, the Department of Labor issued regulations to clarify which employees qualify for overtime exemptions, outlining the criteria for determining exemption status based on job duties and, in many cases, salary requirements. This helps distinguish those who must receive overtime from those who are exempt from it. The other acts mentioned address different workplace rights (disability access, equal pay for equal work, etc.) and do not establish the general overtime framework described by the Fair Labor Standards Act.