Final answer:
The Fair Labor Standards Act defines the standard workweek as 40 hours and mandates overtime pay for hourly workers exceeding that limit. The Act also establishes minimum wage and child labor standards, contributing to the evolution of the workweek from lengthy days seen in the 19th century to current averages.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) defines the standard workweek as a fixed, recurring period of 40 hours. Passed in 1938, the FLSA establishes the minimum wage, sets limits on child labor, and details the rules requiring payment of overtime pay for those in hourly positions who work more than 40 hours per week. In practice, this means that full-time employees who exceed the standard 40-hour workweek are typically eligible for overtime wages, which is often time and a half their regular pay rate.
Historical context shows that over time, the length of the workweek has evolved, with early 19th-century workers often working much longer days and more days per week. In contrast, the average U.S. workweek now includes both full-time and part-time workers, with full-time workers averaging about 42.5 hours. The FLSA was a significant addition to labor legislation, including the Wagner Act of 1935, which enabled workers to have collective bargaining rights and limited employer interference in private sector labor practices.