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November 3, 2008    DOL Home > ESA > WHD > Opinion Letters   

Wage and Hour Division (WHD)

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Wage and Hour Division - To promote and achieve compliance with labor standards to protect and enhance the welfare of the nation's workforce.

Opinion Letters

An opinion letter signed by the Administrator of the Wage and Hour Division is an official ruling or interpretation of the Wage and Hour Division for purposes of the Portal-to-Portal Act, 29 U.S.C. 259. Such rulings provide a potential good faith reliance defense for violations of the FLSA. In the event of a vacancy in the Administrator's position an opinion letter signed by the Acting Administrator, Deputy Administrator, or other officer of the Department of Labor to whom authority was properly delegated under Reorganization Plan No.6 of 1950 (15 F.R. 3174) also constitutes an official ruling of the Wage and Hour Division for purposes of the Portal-to-Portal Act. Opinions signed by other Wage and Hour officials (i.e. Non-Administrator letters), denoted by an NA following the opinion number; do not constitute rulings or interpretations under the Portal-to-Portal Act.

The requirements of the laws enforced by the Wage and Hour Division are set by statutes and regulations. Our opinion letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances. This letter constitutes Wage and Hour's interpretation of the requirements discussed in the context of a specific factual situation.

Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to the statute or the rules. Also, from time to time we update our interpretations in response to new information, such as court decisions. To keep apprised of such developments, consult Wage and Hour's website and review more recent opinion letters on point. To be notified each time the web page is updated with new opinion letters, click here to begin the registration process for Wage and Hour’s free email service, or to edit your profile. You may unsubscribe at any time by choosing to edit, and then deleting your profile.

Opinion letters below are available in PDF and TEXT format. You will need Adobe Reader installed on your computer to view PDF files.

How to Text Search Downloaded PDFs

Opinion Letters from the Administrator

Non-Administrator Letters from the Wage and Hour Division

Fair Labor Standards Act

Fair Labor Standards Act

Family and Medical Leave Act

Family and Medical Leave Act

Migrant and Seasonal Worker Protection Act (PDF)

Wage Garnishments

Youth Employment

Youth Employment

Other Interpretive Guidance

Field Bulletins

Field Handbook

 



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