Which category of employees is covered by the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)?

The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) primarily covers nonexempt employees, which includes those who are entitled to minimum wage and overtime pay for hours worked over 40 in a workweek. Nonexempt employees are generally those who perform tasks that are primarily non-managerial and do not meet the criteria for exemption set forth in the FLSA.

The protection offered by the FLSA aims to ensure fair labor practices through the specification of wage levels and limits on hours worked, making it critical for nonexempt employees who often work in various industries, such as retail, hospitality, and other labor-intensive sectors.

Understanding the distinction between nonexempt and exempt employees is crucial, as exempt employees do not qualify for overtime pay and have different criteria based on their job responsibilities, level of salary, and the nature of their duties. Salaried employees can be either exempt or nonexempt, depending on their specific job roles and salary levels, while waged employees typically refer to nonexempt workers who are paid hourly.

Therefore, nonexempt employees are the group specifically covered under FLSA provisions, which is vital for ensuring they receive fair compensation for their work.