OVERTIME

There are several federal laws that protect the rights of workers. These include the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA).

Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
The Fair Labor Standards Act is a federal law that covers employee wages and hours worked, including overtime hours and overtime wages. Under the FLSA, some workers can be exempted from overtime pay. However, those workers must fit the criteria the FLSA sets out for exemption. In cases where both the FLSA and state law apply, the law setting the higher standards must be observed.

Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
The Family Medical Leave Act requires covered employers to allow eligible employees to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave for a number of reasons, including the birth and care of the employee's newborn child, care for a child after adoption or foster care placement, care for a spouse with a serious health condition and care for a child or parent with a serious health condition. Employees may also take time for a serious health condition that affects their ability to work.

Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA)
The Occupational Safety and Health Act ensures that employees work in an environment that is free from recognized hazards. This means preventing work-related injuries, illnesses and deaths by enforcing regulations related to workplace safety and health.

Employee Benefits and ERISA
The Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) is a federal law designed to protect employee benefits plans, including pension plans and health plans, set up by private business. Laws set out by ERISA cover employee stock options, 401(k) plans, other benefit plans and health plans. Employers who set up these plans have a duty to act in the best interests of plan participants and to provide those participants with accurate information about the plans.