Which act establishes minimum wage, overtime pay, youth employment, and record-keeping standards for workers?

• A. Fair Labor Standards Act
• B. Sarbanes-Oxley Act
• C. Americans with Disabilities Act
• D. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act

Answer: (A)

The Fair Labor Standards Act establishes the basic wage-and-hour rules that matter for most workers. It sets the minimum wage, requires overtime pay (time-and-a-half for non-exempt employees who work over 40 hours in a week), imposes protections and restrictions for youth employment, and requires employers to keep certain payroll and time-tracking records. Enforced by the Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division, this law creates the standard framework for how much employees must be paid, when overtime kicks in, how young workers can be employed, and what records employers must maintain. In contrast, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act focuses on corporate governance and financial disclosures, the Americans with Disabilities Act addresses accessibility and discrimination for people with disabilities, and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act protects against employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.