What is the primary purpose of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)?

The primary purpose of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) is to establish minimum wage and overtime pay standards for employees in both the private sector and government. Enacted in 1938, the FLSA aims to protect workers from exploitation by ensuring they receive a baseline income for their labor and are compensated fairly for any hours worked beyond the standard 40-hour workweek. Under this act, employers are required to pay their employees at least the federal minimum wage and provide overtime pay at one and a half times the regular rate of pay for hours worked in excess of 40 in a workweek. This fundamental role in setting wage and hour standards reflects the law's commitment to promoting fair labor practices and supporting workers' rights.

In contrast, the other options either address different aspects of employment law or are not the primary focus of the FLSA. While promoting workplace diversity and inclusion, regulating employee health benefits, and ensuring employee retirement planning are all important areas of employment law, they fall under different statutes and regulations other than the FLSA.