Working Time Rules: United States
United States: standard working hours, overtime, rest, annual leave, and record-keeping rules - a practical overview, not legal advice.
Statutory working time
The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) does not cap total weekly hours for employees aged 16 and over, but requires overtime pay of at least 1.5x the regular rate for hours worked beyond 40 per week. Note: May 1 (International Workers' Day) is not a US federal holiday. The US labor holiday is Labor Day, observed on the first Monday of September.
Overtime
Under the federal FLSA, non-exempt employees receive overtime at 1.5x their regular rate for hours over 40 in a workweek. There is generally no federal daily overtime - narrow exceptions exist for some sectors, such as hospitals - and some states (for example California) add daily overtime and other rules.
Rest periods
Federal law does not require ordinary meal or rest breaks, though most nursing employees are entitled to reasonable break time and a private space. Many states set their own break requirements.
Record-keeping
The FLSA requires covered employers to keep accurate records of hours worked and wages, in particular for non-exempt employees. No set form is required, but the records must be accurate.
What to check before you rely on this
- The current statutory limits, reference periods, and any opt-outs.
- Sector or collective-agreement rules that may override the defaults.
- How overtime is authorised, recorded, and compensated.
- What working-time records you must keep and for how long.