The Fair Labor Standards Act The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) was passed by Congress on June 25, 1938. The primary goal of the law was to eliminate “working conditions detrimental to the maintenance of minimum standards of living necessary for the health, efficiency and welfare of workers,”[1] who were directly or indirectly engaged in interstate commerce, including those engaged in the production of goods intended for such commerce. An important provision of the law established a maximum working week and a minimum wage. Initially, the minimum wage was $0.25 an hour, along with a maximum workweek of 44 hours for the first year, 42 for the second year, and 40 thereafter. Minimum wages were established at $0.25 per hour for the first year, $0.30 for the second year, and $0.40 for a period of six years thereafter. Other provisions establish standards for overtime compensation and ban the products of child labor from interstate commerce. The Department of Labor also created a Wage and Hour Division (WHD). The purpose of this division was to accelerate the raising of standards within an industry if a committee recommended a change. The Fair Labor Standards Act was amended repeatedly in the decades that followed, with changes that expanded the classes of workers covered, raised the minimum wage, and redefined regular-time work. , increasing overtime payments to encourage the hiring of new workers and equalizing pay scales for men and women. FLSA Regulations and Non-Regulations While the FLSA establishes the base minimum wage, overtime pay standards, and regulates the employment of minors, there are a number of employment practices that the FLSA does not address... halfway through... 9. Fair Labor Standards Act, www.infoplease.com, 6/11/0410. Senate Passes Major Tax Bill with Overtime Amendments Attached by Bill Leonard, Society for Human Resources Management, www.shrm.org, 5/19/04.11. DOL issues proposal to modify overtime exemption requirements, via Staff Reports, Society for Human Resource Management, www.shrm.org, 6/11/0412. What Does the Fair Labor Standards Act Not Require?, by elaws, www.dol.gov/elaws, 6/11/0413. Handy Reference Guide to the Fair Labor Standards Act, U.S. Department of Labor, revised 10/96, www.dol.gov/esa/public/whd_org.htm, pages 1-10.14. Fair Working Standards Act, www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk, 6/11/04---------------------------- -- ---------------------------------------[1] Fair Labor Standards Act ; www.inforplease.com, June 11, 2004.