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In the United States, the extended hours of working throughout the week for an adult are not limited by federal law. You might work any 168 hours so long as you are paid by the hour, provided that you can somehow stay awake that long. Nevertheless, even though the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) does not establish a limit on the number of hours that would be spent at work, it provides compensation and overtime. There are other restrictions in the state laws, particular professions, and age categories. Below is the breakdown of what the law says concerning the weekly working hours in America.
1. General Regulations of Adult Workers
No Federal Maximum Limit:
The number of hours that adults (18 years and above) can work in a week as mandated by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) is not restricted. Employers are also allowed to plan for employees to work on long shifts or over several days, provided that they are well paid for the work.
Overtime Pay Requirement:
Though it has no limit to the number of hours, FLSA requires that non-exempt employees, or those who are not in managerial, professional, or administrative positions, be paid overtime at a rate of 1.5 times their normal wages for all hours worked beyond 40 hours in a particular workweek. This regulation guarantees that employees are well rewarded in cases where an employer wants to overwork without good remuneration.
State and Local Laws:
There are labor protections that are in place in different states. For instance:
- During the working day, California and Washington require rest and meal periods.
- NY requires a day of rest in some of its industries, such as manufacturing.
- Oregon and Illinois have rest rules on a daily and weekly basis for particular professions.
These are diverse in nature, and therefore, workers should be advised to look into the local labor laws.
2. Exceptions: Hour Limits Are in Force
Minors:
In the case of those who are below 16 years of age, the working hours are highly controlled by law. In general, the maximum time that minors may spend on a school day is 3 hours, 18 hours per week during school time, and 40 hours per week during the break. These constraints ensure that the young workers are not exploited and also that their education is not interrupted.
Certain Professions:
There are health and safety federal or industry-specific regulations governing some of the occupations:
- The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations impose a maximum of 100 hours of flight per month on commercial pilots.
- Truck drivers should comply with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations of not exceeding 60/70 hours within 7/8 days.
- The required hour limits or rest time requirements may also exist with healthcare professionals and maritime workers.
International (F-1 Visa Holders):
F-1 visa students studying in the U.S can not work more than 20 hours per week on campus during the academic term. They are allowed to work full-time during official school breaks, provided they are qualified.
Although federal law does not impose any maximum number of hours per adult that one can work on a weekly basis, the employer must abide by the overtime payment regulations and any state or industry regulations. Employees must be informed of local labor protection, and employers must make sure that they do not ignore this in order to face legal consequences. Clear hour shifts are imposed on minors and some occupations to enhance safety and well-being.
