Federal Nursing Home Administrator Practice Exam

What does the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) primarily establish?

1. Workplace safety regulations

2. Minimum wage and overtime pay standards

3. Employee health benefits requirements

4. Job security guidelines

The correct answer is: Minimum wage and overtime pay standards

The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) primarily establishes minimum wage and overtime pay standards, which are crucial for ensuring fair compensation for work performed. Under the FLSA, employers are legally required to pay employees at least the federal minimum wage for their time worked and to provide overtime pay for hours worked beyond a standard 40-hour work week. This ensures that workers are compensated appropriately for their labor and helps prevent exploitation in the workplace. While workplace safety regulations are important, they fall under different legislation, such as the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA). Employee health benefits requirements are regulated by laws like the Affordable Care Act, and job security guidelines often relate to other labor laws that do not specifically address wage and hours of work. Therefore, the FLSA’s focus on compensation, namely minimum wage and overtime, is what sets it apart as a foundational labor standard in the U.S. workforce.