Fair Labor Standards Act Of 1938 (FLSA)

Throughout history, children have always worked, either as apprentices or servants. However, child labor reached a whole new scale during the time period of the Industrial Revolution. Throughout the time frame of late 1800s-early 1900s, children worked long hours in dangerous factory conditions for very little wages. They were considered useful as laborers because their small stature allowed them to be cramped into smaller spaces, and they could be paid less for their services. Many worked to help support their families, and by doing so, they forwent their education. Numerous nineteenth century reformers and labor groups sought to restrict child labor and to improve working conditions.

Luckily, one of the New Deal programs, the Fair Labor Standard Act, which set down standards for the basic minimum wage and overtime pay while affecting most private and public employment, protected workers rights for them to not suffer like they had been suffering for the last years.

As the United States endured the hardships of the Great Depression, the struggles of the working class grew and employers were able to take advantage of desperate workers by overloading hours and shrinking wages. In 1938, President Franklin Roosevelt, in his New Deal legislation, saw the opportunity to attend to the issues concerning workers involved in interstate commerce. The Fair Labor Standards Act was passed, and the President described it in the following way “Except for the Social Security Act, it (the FLSA) is the most far-reaching, far-sighted program for the benefit of workers ever adopted here or in any other country.” (Nordlund). The FLSA, as it is known, set a maximum number of

As a New York businessman in the early 20th century launching into a new era of industrial growth in business, maximizing profits is a top priority. Employing as many workers as possible, with as little pay as possible is the goal. Company’s can do this because the new implementation of machines in their factories is on the incline, putting unskilled labor at the bottom of the pay scale. Why pay top dollar for a worker to do the same job a machine can do faster and for less? Unskilled labor in big factories were now the only job people can get, forcing them to accept pay that is next to nothing. Children are being put to work now by their families to help bring home

For centuries, there has been a common relationship between employers and employees. Over the course of that time, the workplace and the jobs within it have evolved as new jobs were created, ways to execute tasks became more advanced and laws were enacted to put into place fair employment for those in the workforce. In 1938, congress would pass and President Roosevelt would sign the Wages and Hours Bill, more commonly known as the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (FLSA). This federal statute introduced a 44 hour, seven day work week, established the national minimum wage, guaranteed overtime pay in specific types of jobs at a rate of “time and a half”, and it defines oppressive child labor, which prohibits most employment of minors. The FLSA applies to those employees engaged in interstate commerce or in the production of goods for commerce, unless the employer can claim an exemption from coverage.

In 1900, children as young as nine years old were once expected to work sixteen hours a day in harsh conditions. They were useful because of their small size and the owners being able to pay low wages. Child labor laws exist because brave men, women, and children fought for these rights. The conditions of the children’s working environment caused Lewis Hine and the newsies to act upon it.

In between the early 1900’s and late 1930’s laws regarding organized labor and laws protecting businesses were passed or declined. Different industries had different minimum wage requirements and some didn’t follow at all. When Franklin D. Roosevelt became president, one of the first things he did was sign a New Deal. The New Deal consisted of new proposed ideas and laws; many in particular pertained to labor. This was due to the happening of the Great Depression. The New Deal helped ban child labor, raise the minimum wage, and regulated the appropriate amount of hours a person should work.

Even though child labor was a widespread problem for 20 years, The Fair Labor Standards Act was not put into effect until 1938. With the children suffering, the

The road to fair and equal child labor laws was definitely not an easy one, nor was it a quick one. Throughout the 1800’s, it was normal to see school aged children working 50-70 hour weeks, leaving out the time to get an education, socialize,

The UHCA follows a tradition of attempts to ensure universal health care coverage in the U.S. During the nation’s early history of 1883-1912, there were no government health insurance programs or efforts to subsidize voluntary funds. The states were responsible for individual programs and it was left to the private industry. Some voluntary funds were available for members in case of sickness or death.

Much of what we know about the improvements in the workforce came from 20th century advancements with the workforce that we know today. Important developments came in the form of methodology and data collection efforts. The 20th century was a remarkable period for the American workers. Despite the initial stages of labor management, working conditions, wages and benefits improved over the last century with the workforce increasing six fold over the period (Gould, 1986). This research will focus on impacts of National Relations Labor Act (NLRA) and the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) enacted in the 20th century, including major circumstances that led to the intent of the legislation. In

In the 21st century, our whole economy is depended upon technology. However, from the end of the Civil War and into the early 1900s, the economy was industrializing. However, industrialization created a larger need for larger workforce. The working conditions changed, but it often caused hardships for workers. As a result, the government, groups and individuals attempt to solve many problems such as low wages, child labor, and unsafe working conditions through the passing of laws and workers’ union.

This progressive act officially set up a national minimum wage, set up a forty hour work week, guaranteed 'time-and-a-half' for overtime, and prohibited oppressive child labor (Friedrich). These acts dramatically improved labor conditions. A clear improvement in labor could be seen from before to after the New Deal labor reform.

The idea of workers benefits’ and support is a relatively new concept. Beginning primarily in the 20th century, a noticeable adjustment was made in the United States by the newly elected President Roosevelt in 1938. Roosevelt signed the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) into fruition, which introduced the regulation of the minimum wage, the definition of which being, “(The )minimum standard of living necessary for health, efficiency and general well-being, without substantially curtailing employment” (minimum-wage.org). The minimum wage of the time was 25 cents an hour, but at the time was a considerably fair price, and one that would change the course of history for the worker forever.

The 1977 amendments, by eliminating the distinct lower minimum for large farming employers (although keeping the overtime exemption), set a new consistent wage agenda for all enclosed workers. The smallest went to $2.65 an hour in January 1978, $2.90 in January 1979, $3.10 in January 1980, and $3.35 in January 1981. The amendments alleviated the provisions for establishments allowed to provide work scholars at the smaller wage rate and permitted exceptional waivers for young kid’s 10to11 years old to work in agriculture. The overtime exemption for employees in hotels, motels, and bistros was eradicated. To allow for the effects of inflation, the $250,000 dollar capacity of sales coverage check for retail trade and service enterprises was expanded in phases to $362,500 after December 31, 1981.