West's Encyclopedia of American Law | Fair Labor Standards Act

The Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29U.S.C.A. § 201 et seq.) was federal legislation enacted in 1938 by Congress, pursuant to its power under the COMMERCE CLAUSE, that mandated a MINIMUM WAGE and maximum 40-hour work week for employees of those businesses engaged in interstate commerce.

Popularly known as the "Wages and Hours Law," the Fair Labor Standards Act was one of a number of statutes making up the NEW DEAL program of the presidential administration of FRANKLIN DELANO ROOSEVELT. Aside from setting a maximum number of hours that a person could work for the minimum wage, it also established the right of the eligible worker to at least "time and a half"—or one and one-half times the customary pay—for those...