Which federal law establishes minimum wage, overtime, and child labor standards?

• A. These standards are determined state by state
• B. Fair Labor Standards Act
• C. Equal Employment Opportunity Act
• D. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act

Answer: (B)

Minimum wage, overtime, and child labor standards are set by the Fair Labor Standards Act. This federal law creates the baseline rules for pay and hours, requiring a federal minimum wage and overtime pay (typically 1.5 times the regular rate) for eligible employees who work more than 40 hours in a week. It also imposes restrictions on what work minors can do and at what ages, protecting younger workers. Enforcement is handled by the Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division, with certain exemptions for specific occupations and some small businesses. States can impose higher minimum wages or additional protections, but the federal law establishes the floor. Other laws address discrimination and civil rights, not wage and hour standards.