Employment Law

Are You Familiar with These Federal Labor Laws? Part 1 featured image

Are You Familiar with These Federal Labor Laws? Part 1

The United States Department of Labor (DOL) is cracking down on contractors who fail to comply with labor laws related to minimum wage, overtime pay, recordkeeping, and child labor standards. It’s of the utmost importance that contractors are cognizant of these labor laws and understand how they affect full-time and part-time workers. Whether you’re contracted by the government to contribute work to public projects or building structures for the private sector, you need to be fully aware of the labor laws that govern your day-to-day operations.

In this two-part series, the Knoxville contractor lawyers at Cotney Construction Law will discuss several federal labor laws, including the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), to help contractors maintain compliance and avoid potential litigation. For more information about how these laws pertain to your firm’s various operations, consult a Knoxville contractor lawyer.

The Fair Labor Standards Act

The FLSA is an important piece of legislation that establishes the federal minimum wage as well as rules pertaining to overtime pay, financial recordkeeping, and child labor standards. In addition to federal, state, and local government employees, the DOL’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) is also responsible for administering and enforcing the FLSA for all employees in the private sector. The FLSA includes a variety of labor-related laws covering:

  • Basic minimum wage
  • Minimum wage for tipped workers
  • Workers with disabilities
  • New hires under the age of 20
  • Full-time students
  • Student learners
  • Minimum wage rates for territories and possessions of the United States
  • Overtime pay
  • Comp time in place of overtime pay
  • Break time for nursing mothers
  • Minimum wage and overtime exemptions
  • Executive, administrative, and professional employees
  • Outside salespersons
  • Employees in computer-related occupations
  • Domestic service employees
  • Child labor

Davis-Bacon Act

Another important piece of United States labor law legislation is the Davis-Bacon Act. This federal law requires all contractors and subcontractors involved in publicly funded construction projects to compensate their employees at a rate equal to or greater than the local prevailing wages and fringe benefits being offered by comparable projects within the same area. It applies to any provisions of labor or materials exceeding $2,000 in value for the construction, alteration, or repair of government-owned property.

In part two, our Knoxville contractor lawyers will discuss other federal labor laws including the McNamara-O’Hara Service Contract Act, Walsh-Healey Act, Contract Work Hours, and Safety Standards Act, and Family and Medical Leave Act.

If you would like to speak with a Knoxville contractor lawyer, please contact us today.

 

Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for general educational information only. This information does not constitute legal advice, is not intended to constitute legal advice, nor should it be relied upon as legal advice for your specific factual pattern or situation.