Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, what is required for nonexempt workers for hours worked over 40 in a workweek?

Under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), nonexempt workers are entitled to receive overtime pay for any hours worked over 40 in a workweek. The requirement specifically states that they must be compensated at a rate of at least one and one-half times their regular rate of pay for those extra hours. This overtime pay provision is designed to discourage employers from overworking employees without appropriate compensation and to promote fair labor standards across various industries.

The rationale behind this overtime rule is to ensure that employees are rewarded fairly for their extra time and effort, while also encouraging businesses to manage their workforce efficiently. By stipulating this time-and-a-half rate, the FLSA seeks to maintain a balance between the work hours and pay, ultimately supporting workers' rights to adequate compensation for their labor.