Many business owners don't appreciate all the laws and regulations they need to follow when it comes to operating that business, but of course those laws exist as a protection for everyone.
Laws that govern how products are made and advertised protect the end user and consumer, and laws regarding the workplace itself protect workers and even the environment.
Protecting people is not the only reason that these laws are enacted; there are many laws that are meant to ensure that workers are treated fairly in the workplace.
These laws protect against discrimination, ensure safe and reasonable work areas, and outline minimum payment standards as well.
There are federal guidelines that outline the payment structure for employees, including overtime pay.
However it's difficult to simply state who is and who is not eligible for overtime pay as this varies according to an employee's status.
This means that those who are paid a flat salary or who earn only commission may not be eligible for overtime pay, as opposed to those who receive an hourly rate.
However these laws are also more clearly defined in the federal guidelines as of course an employer cannot simply state that an employee is being paid a flat salary and then expect him or her to work excessive hours.
The guidelines that cover overtime pay will also take into account the legal number of hours a person may be required to work, as well as the hours worked in any given time period.
For instance, a person may work nine hours one day and then five hours the next, for a total of fourteen hours that week.
Those guidelines take into account the total number of hours they worked over a week's time, not just the number of hours worked in any one day.
No information contained herein is meant to take the place of legal advice.
Always consult with an attorney for any and all legal questions you may have.