In the United States, employees are protected under the Fair Labor and Standards Act. This federal law sets the minimum wage and other wage standards here in the United States. Unfortunately, many employers are exempt from this law, so it can be difficult for employees to determine whether they are truly being given a fair shake by their employer. If you feel your employer is not abiding by the Fair Labor and Standards Act, you may wish to take action against him or her. Please continue reading and reach out to our experienced Georgia employment rights attorney to learn more about how our firm can help you through the legal process ahead. Here are some of the questions you may have:

What is the purpose of the Fair Labor and Standards Act?

The Fair Labor and Standards Act states that employers must pay their employees the federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour. That being said, in Georgia, many employers are not subject to the FLSA. Because of this, they can actually pay their employees a minimum wage of $5.15 per hour. This is common in the restaurant service. For example, employees, such as waiters, who receive tips, only have to receive a minimum wage of $2.13 per hour. Additional workers exempt from the minimum wage laws are as follows:

• Babysitters
• Newspaper delivery employees
• Newspaper employees of limited circulation newspapers
• Switchboard operators
• Workers with disabilities
• Fishermen

What are the overtime laws with the Fair Labor Standards Act?

The Fair Labor Standards Act also governs overtime laws for employees. For example, if you are an eligible employee who works over 40 hours per week, you should receive 1.5 times the amount of your standard pay. Under other circumstances, you may also receive overtime pay for working on holidays. Unfortunately, many employees do not qualify for this pay, including the following:

• Some computer professionals covered under Section 13(a)(17) of the FLSA
• Some farmworkers on small farms
• Certain retail or service sales employees who receive commission
• Babysitters
• Livestock auction workers
• Movie theater employees
• Companions for the elderly
• Buyers of agricultural products
• Airline employees
• Newspaper delivery employees
• Truck, trailer, boat, and aircraft salespeople
• Television station employees in small markets
• Taxicab drivers
• Police officers working in small, public police departments that have under 5 officers

If you believe your employer is infringing on your right to a fair and legally-acceptable salary, please do not hesitate to give our knowledgeable Georgia employment rights attorney today. We are here to help you through every step of the legal process ahead.

CONTACT OUR EXPERIENCED GEORGIA FIRM

If you need help with an employment law matter in the state of Georgia, you can count on Ben Barrett Law to effectively represent your interests. With over 30 years of experience, Attorney Barrett has the skill and experience necessary to help you navigate the complexities of any employment law matter you may be facing. To discuss your case with a legal team you can trust, please do not hesitate to contact Ben Barrett Law today.