Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (FLSA) - 758 Words

For centuries, there has been a common relationship between employers and employees. Over the course of that time, the workplace and the jobs within it have evolved as new jobs were created, ways to execute tasks became more advanced and laws were enacted to put into place fair employment for those in the workforce. In 1938, congress would pass and President Roosevelt would sign the Wages and Hours Bill, more commonly known as the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (FLSA). This federal statute introduced a 44 hour, seven day work week, established the national minimum wage, guaranteed overtime pay in specific types of jobs at a rate of â€Å"time and a half†, and it defines oppressive child labor, which prohibits most employment of minors. The FLSA applies to those employees engaged in interstate commerce or in the production of goods for commerce, unless the employer can claim an exemption from coverage. The Fair Labor Standards Act was first developed by Hugo Black, a senator from Alabama, in 1932. Senator Black saw a problem that existed with people in the workforce being overworked and underpaid and wanted to provide a solution. President Franklin D. Roosevelt was a strong supporter of this effort and stood behind Senator Black. According to President Roosevelt, the FLSA was â€Å"the most far-reaching, far-sighted program for the benefit of workers ever adopted in this or any other country.† During this time, workers in several different industries were faced withShow MoreRelatedHistory of the Flsa Essay982 Words   |  4 PagesThe History of the Fair Labor Standards Act Abstract After the great depression, unions were legalized in order to be the voice for the workers for whom they represented to their employers. Once this legalization became evident through federal statute, set the stage for what was to become the Fair Labor Standards Act. Having just survived a depression, the United States was hoping to avoid any future economic downturns, the government would accomplish this with paying higher wages that theRead MoreFair Labor Standards Act of 19381718 Words   |  7 PagesFair Labor Standards Act of 1938 – as Amended As the United States endured the hardships of the Great Depression, the struggles of the working class grew and employers were able to take advantage of desperate workers by overloading hours and shrinking wages. In 1938, President Franklin Roosevelt, in his New Deal legislation, saw the opportunity to attend to the issues concerning workers involved in interstate commerce. The Fair Labor Standards Act was passed, and the President described it inRead MoreThe Importance Of An Integral Workforce Within The United States Economy1704 Words   |  7 PagesSuccess came too with the passage of the Fair Labor Standard Act of 1938. The Fair Labor Standard Act abolished the child workforce, established a minimum hourly wage, and declared the 40 hour work week. Seth D. Harris, author of â€Å"Conceptions of Fairness and the Fair Labor Standard Act†, proclaimed that the passage of the act was the creation of a statue that is beneficial to the less powerful at the expense of the more powerful (2000). The foundation of the FLSA gave the working class a legal tool whichRead MoreThis American (Working) Life1053 Words   |  5 Pages teachers, managers and others are not required by law to receive overtime pay (U.S. Cong. Federal Labor). These and other professions are labeled exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act. An exempt profession, when put on a salary, is not protected by the FLSA and can work as many hours as required with no extra compensation. According to a new bill, S. 1747 The Computer Professionals Update Act , legislators would extend these exemptions to other IT professions (27-31). In a time when it is hardRead MoreEssay on Human Resources Analysis1329 Words   |  6 Pagesthere are many labor laws that the cooperate world must up hold by, these laws seem complicated but are actually quite simple once you break them down. For instance, the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) of 1938, as amended, provides for minimum standard for that of both wages and overtime entitlements by employees, and spells out the administrative procedures that needs to be taken by which covered all work time must be compensated for. FLSA also includes provisions related to child labor laws, equalRead MoreMinimum Wage Laws And Labor Unions905 Words   |  4 PagesIn 1938, the Fair Labor Standards Act was created to establish a minimum federal wage to serve as a standard wage to reduce poverty and to secure economic growth is shared across the workforce. Today minimum wage is far below its historical levels and loses its value every year due to inflation. The minimum wage workforces are living close to poverty levels, and insist on the government raising the minimum wage. Sometimes the fight to raise the pay for workers goes unnoticed or unheard, so a laborRead MoreThe Impact Of National Relations Labor Act ( Nlra ) And The Fair Labor Standards Act1181 Words   |  5 PagesLabor Legislation in the 20th Century Much of what we know about the improvements in the workforce came from 20th century advancements with the workforce that we know today. Important developments came in the form of methodology and data collection efforts. The 20th century was a remarkable period for the American workers. Despite the initial stages of labor management, working conditions, wages and benefits improved over the last century with the workforce increasing six fold over theRead MoreThe Fair Labor Standards Act Essay1747 Words   |  7 PagesThe Fair Labor Standards Act The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) was passed by Congress on June 25th, 1938. The main objective of the act was to eliminate â€Å"labor conditions detrimental to the maintenance of the minimum standards of living necessary for health, efficiency and well-being of workers,†[1] who engaged directly or indirectly in interstate commerce, including those involved in production of goods bound for such commerce. A major provision of the act establishedRead MoreEssay on The Minimum Wage Must Be Increased1575 Words   |  7 Pagesadulthood and is a very exciting time for a young person. All first jobs usually start with a minimum wage. Minimum wage is the minimum an employer has to pay an unskilled worker based on the regulations set forth by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) that was originally established in 1938. As people think back about their first jobs they can also remember what the minimum wage was when they took that position. Minimum wage is only increased based on the cost of living from the prior year. If the previousRead MoreFair Labor Standards Act1423 Words   |  6 PagesFair Labor Standards Act Overview The Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, as amended is also referred to as the Act or FLSA. The Act provides for minimum standards for both wages and overtime entitlement, and spells out administrative procedures by which covered work time must be compensated. FLSA also include provisions related to child labor, equal pay, and portal-to-portal activities. A general overview of FLSA is that it establishes minimum wage, overtime pay, recordkeeping, and child