How to Research Wage and Hour Laws

State and federal laws regulate the minimum wage, overtime, travel and training time issues. Employees should be aware of their rights under these laws. Here are some tips to help you research wage and hour issues.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Understand the purpose of the wage and hour laws. The Fair Labor Standards Act governs wage and hour law by defining the 40-hour workweek, establishing a federal minimum wage, providing for overtime and regulating child labor. States also have their own laws and regulations governing wage and hour issues.
2. Review the federal statutes. Federal wage and hour laws are found in the U.S. Code. The regulations promulgating these laws are set forth in the Code of Federal Regulations. These resources set forth the text of the wage and hour laws and should be your starting point in researching wage and hour issues.
3. Consult the state statutes. Most state websites link to their state's wage and hour statutes and regulations. You can also call your state department of labor for guidance and advice on how to research state specific wage and hour laws.
4. Visit the U.S. Department of Labor website. This site contains a vast amount of information on wage and hour laws, and links to other websites containing relevant information.
5. Consider case law. Over the years, courts have interpreted wage and hour laws and applied the laws to the cases brought before the court. Your local law library will have access to most cases and will be able to assist you in researching court decisions.

Tips & Warnings

• You should consult with an employment law attorney if you have any questions at all regarding your rights under the wage and hour laws.