Reference no: EM133198013

Discussion: Employee Compensation under the Fair Labor Standards Act

The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) requires employers to pay employees in certain industries a designated minimum wage. The required minimum wage adjusts over time to accommodate factors such as inflation and the cost of living. FLSA provisions also require that employees pay qualified employees overtime for work exceeding 40 hours per week.

Discuss issues related to employment law, compensation, and worker protection.

Instruction 1. Review the rubric to make sure you understand the criteria for earning your grade.

2. In the textbook Human Relations, read section 11.2 "Collective Bargaining" from Chapter 11, "Work with Labor Unions". Also read Chapter 50, "Employment Law," and Chapter 51, "Labor-Management Relations," from the textbook Business Law and the Legal Environment.

3. Read the following scenario, then navigate to the threaded discussion and respond to the questions that follow:
Rapid Transit System employs drivers for its bus routes. The drivers are paid for a 40-hour work week. From Monday through Friday, the drivers work split shifts, and they are compensated for two 30-minute breaks during their shifts. Because of the nature of their work, drivers who take their lunch break at Point A are required to travel to Point B to start the second part of their work shift. Drivers are only compensated for 30 minutes of travel time, regardless of whether or not additional time is needed to reach Point B. The suburban route drivers are upset because the suburban route average travel time is 40 minutes during rush hour. This means that drivers for the suburban routes average 50 minutes per week of uncompensated travel time.

a. Is Rapid Transit's business practice permissible under Alvarez and FLSA?

b. In your opinion, is Rapid Transit's business practice ethical?

c. Why do you think employers in general would require a split shift? Do you think it is an outcome of government intervention into the free market?

4. Your initial post is due by the end of the fourth day of the workshop.

5. Read and respond to at least two of your classmates' postings, as well as all instructor follow-up questions directed to you, by the end of the workshop.

6. Your postings also should:
a. Be well developed by providing clear answers with evidence of critical thinking.
b. Add greater depth to the discussion by introducing new ideas.
c. Provide clarification to classmates' questions and insight into the discussion.
d. Be posted on three different days during the workshop.