Features of the Website The succeeding paragraphs will describe the major features of the US Department of Labor Website at http://www.dol.gov/dol/topic/health-plans/cobra.htm. The first feature is Wages Subtopics. Wages Subtopics provide additional information employees can use to help monitor their wage benefits. By choosing from the Wages subtopics list it will also help employees narrow their browsing. This information is useful so that employees and employers understand employee qualification for benefit programs.
The Department of Labor enforces the Fair Labor Standard Act (FLSA), which sets basic minimum wage and overtime pay standards. These standards are enforced by the Department's Wage and Hour Division. This law was enacted in 1938. It protects workers by setting standards for minimum wage, overtime pay, record keeping and youth labor.
FLSA covers full-time and part-time workers in the private sector and in federal, state, and local governments. The law may apply to you because of the type of company or organization for which you work, known as enterprise coverage, or the type of work you do, called individual coverage (Roseburg, 2013).
Minimum Wage
Non-exempt employees must be paid a national minimum wage established by the US Congress. As of July 24, 2009 that wage is $7.25 per hour. Some states have set their own minimum wage. The employer must pay federal or state wages-whichever is higher.
Overtime Pay
Employers must give overtime pay to non-exempt employees who work over 40 hours per week. They must pay these workers at a rate of at least time and half of their regular rate. The second feature is Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation (COBRA) frequently asked questions. The Frequently Asked Question is a good tool that employees can use as a reference guide to monitor their benefits. The site list questions as well