This toolkit provides resources to help employers understand their basic responsibilities under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), enforced and administered by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD). The FLSA sets minimum wage, overtime pay, recordkeeping, and youth employment standards in agriculture and non-agriculture occupations.
Some states have labor laws that afford workers additional rights and protections; employers must comply with both federal and state laws.
If you discover past wage or leave mistakes, the PAID program may be able to help.
What you should know
Here are key things employers should understand about compliance under the FLSA:
- Many workers are protected (or "covered") by the FLSA, which sets minimum wage , overtime, recordkeeping and child labor provisions in agriculture and non-agriculture occupations.
- Employers must display specific workplace posters to inform employees of their rights.
- Employees have the right to report violations or cooperate in investigations without retaliation.
Learn more about how the laws we enforce apply to your business.
Industry-specific resources:
Still need guidance? Ask us. WHD provides guidance on how laws apply to specific workplace situations. Request an Opinion Letter.
These are additional tips and resources to understand your responsibilities as an employer.
- The FLSA prohibits retaliation against any employee who has filed a complaint or cooperated in an investigation.
- Employers and employees can keep accurate records of hours on the job with our DOL-Timesheet App. It’s free and available in English and Spanish.
- Employers should correctly classify employees to ensure compliance with FLSA exemptions and avoid misclassification.
How to Get More Information
If you have questions or need additional information, contact us online or call 1-866-487-9243 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. in your time zone.
Last updated on September 17, 2025.