Which act establishes the legal requirements for minimum wage and overtime pay?

The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) is the legislation that establishes the legal requirements for minimum wage and overtime pay. Enacted in 1938, the FLSA sets standard provisions that employers must follow, including establishing a federal minimum wage, regulating overtime pay for hours worked over 40 in a workweek, and defining which employees are covered by these provisions.

This act is significant because it aimed to protect workers from unfair labor practices and to ensure that they receive fair compensation for their work. The law has been updated several times to adjust the minimum wage and extend protections to workers in various industries.

In contrast, the Wage and Hour Act is often used to refer to the FLSA itself, but it is not a standalone piece of legislation in the same way that the FLSA is. The Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) focuses on the protection of employee benefits and pension plans, and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is concerned with preventing discrimination against individuals with disabilities. Thus, only the Fair Labor Standards Act specifically establishes minimum wage and overtime pay requirements.