Who enforces the Federal Wage-Hour Law?

The correct answer is the Department of Labor (DOL) because this federal agency is tasked with enforcing a variety of labor laws, including the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), which is commonly referred to as the Federal Wage-Hour Law. The DOL not only ensures compliance with minimum wage and overtime pay standards but also oversees recordkeeping, youth employment, and workplace standards.

The DOL has the authority to investigate complaints, conduct audits, and impose penalties on employers who violate these wage-hour regulations. This plays a crucial role in protecting the rights of workers at the federal level and ensuring fair labor practices across the country.

While individual states may have their own laws regarding wages and hours, they operate independently and may have different enforcement mechanisms. The IRS is more focused on tax-related issues rather than wage-hour enforcement, and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) mainly addresses issues related to workplace discrimination rather than wage and hour regulations.