Louisiana Contractors License Practice Exam

Under which act must employers pay overtime at 1.5 times regular rates?

1. Walsh-Healey Act

2. Davis-Bacon Act

3. Employee Polygraph Protection Act

4. Family and Medical Leave Act

The correct answer is: Walsh-Healey Act

The Walsh-Healey Public Contracts Act requires employers to pay overtime at a rate of one and a half times the regular pay for certain employees, particularly those working on government contracts. This act is designed to ensure fair labor standards, including the stipulation that workers on federally funded projects receive proper compensation for overtime hours worked beyond a set threshold, typically 40 hours per week. This act applies primarily to contractors that provide goods or services to the federal government, aiming to promote a fair work environment and prevent exploitation of workers. The focus is on protecting workers' rights in terms of payment for overtime as well as other labor standards. The other acts mentioned serve distinct purposes. The Davis-Bacon Act pertains to wage requirements for laborers and mechanics on federal construction projects, ensuring they receive local prevailing wages but does not explicitly mandate overtime pay at the same rate. The Employee Polygraph Protection Act prohibits most employers from using polygraphs for employment purposes, while the Family and Medical Leave Act provides employees with rights related to leave for family and medical reasons but does not address overtime payments directly.