Which of the following best describes the purpose of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)?

The purpose of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) is best captured by establishing standards for minimum wage and overtime. This landmark legislation, enacted in 1938, aims to protect workers by ensuring they are compensated fairly for their labor, particularly in terms of minimum wage levels and the provision of overtime pay for hours worked beyond the standard workweek.

This means that employers are legally required to pay employees a minimum level of pay as well as additional compensation when employees work more than a specified number of hours in a week, which helps to prevent exploitation and ensures that workers receive fair compensation for their efforts. The implications of the FLSA are significant for managing workforce costs and upholding labor rights, making it a cornerstone of labor law in the United States.