United States
Governed by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and state laws. No federal max statutory hours (40 h is OT trigger). OT +50 % beyond 40 h/wk (unless exempt). No federally mandated paid holidays. Time tracking required for non-exempts.
Disclaimer: This country guide is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. While we update it regularly, it may not reflect ongoing regulatory changes. Illizeo SA accepts no liability for actions taken or not taken based on this content.
Statutory working time
No federal statutory cap · 40 h is just OT trigger
| Topic | Rule | Legal basis | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal cap | None | FLSA | Theoretically unlimited |
| OT threshold | 40 h/wk | FLSA Sec. 7 | No federal daily |
| California | 8 h/day, 40 h/wk | CA Labor Code | OT after 8 h/d AND 40 h/wk |
| Minors | Fed Child Labor | FLSA | Age-based limits |
Overtime
+50 % beyond 40 h/wk · no federal daily OT · varies by state
| Topic | Rule | Legal basis | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal OT | +50 % beyond 40 h/wk | FLSA Sec. 7 | Time-and-a-half |
| California OT | 8 h/d: +50 %, 12 h/d: +100 % | CA Labor Code 510 | Most protective |
| 7th day OT | +50 % (CA, some states) | CA | Varies |
| Comp time | Public sector only | FLSA | Private: must pay |
Rest & breaks
No federal daily rest · breaks not federally mandated
| Topic | Rule | Legal basis | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily rest | None federal | FLSA | Varies by state |
| Weekly rest | None federal | FLSA | Varies by state |
| Meal break | Not federal | FLSA | 26 states require |
| Rest break | If <20 min paid | FLSA | Otherwise unpaid |
Night / Sunday / holiday work
No federal paid holidays mandated (except federal staff) · night not federally regulated
| Topic | Rule | Legal basis | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal holidays | 11 federal days | 5 U.S.C. 6103 | Not mandatory private |
| MA Blue Laws | Sunday premium | M.G.L. ch. 136 | Unique state |
| Night work | Not federally regulated | FLSA | States vary |
| Minors night | FLSA restrictions | Child Labor | Age-variable |
Time recording
FLSA records mandatory · 29 CFR 516 · 3 yrs (payroll), 2 yrs (timecards)
| Topic | Rule | Legal basis | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obligation | Hours + wage records | 29 CFR 516.2 | Non-exempt mandatory |
| Exempt | Salary suffices | 29 CFR 516.3 | No detailed hours |
| Wage retention | 3 years | 29 CFR 516.5 | Master records |
| Timecard retention | 2 years | 29 CFR 516.6 | Basic computations |
| Penalties | $1,000+ per violation | FLSA | WHD enforcement |
Remote & flex work
No federal remote work law · IRS accountable plan · State tax nexus
| Topic | Rule | Legal basis | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Legal framework | No federal dedicated law | Patchwork | State patchwork |
| Remote expenses | IRS Accountable Plan | IRC §62(a)(2) | Tax-free reimbursement |
| Convenience rule | NY, NJ, etc. | State law | Tax at work location |
| State tax nexus | Telework creates nexus | State tax codes | Double tax risk |
| Right to disconnect | Not statutory | — | NYC bill pending |
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