US Federal Overtime Standards (FLSA)
The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) establishes the baseline for overtime pay in the United States. Unless a state has more protective laws, these federal standards apply to most non-exempt employees.
No daily overtime limit. You can work more than 8 hours in a day without earning overtime, provided the weekly total does not exceed 40 hours.
Overtime rule applies after 40 hours of work in a single 7-day workweek.
Federal law does NOT require double-time pay for any number of hours worked.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is overtime mandatory?
Yes. Under the FLSA, employers must pay overtime at a rate of 1.5x for hours worked over 40 in a workweek.
Do weekends count as overtime?
No. Saturday and Sunday are treated as normal workdays unless working them pushes you over the 40-hour weekly limit.
Calculate Your Paycheck
Use our free calculator to see exactly how these rules apply to your hours. It automatically handles overtime math for US Federal Overtime Standards (FLSA).
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