A Level History - America - Practice Exam

What was a consequence of the Wages and Hours Act regarding labor practices in the U.S.?

1. It reduced the number of hours children could work

2. It eliminated the minimum wage requirement

3. It allowed businesses to hire underage workers freely

4. It mandated overtime pay for all employees

The correct answer is: It reduced the number of hours children could work

The correct answer is that the Wages and Hours Act indeed reduced the number of hours children could work. The Wages and Hours Act, formally known as the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) of 1938, sought to improve labor conditions in the United States by establishing regulations for minimum wage, overtime pay, and child labor. One significant aspect of this legislation was its limitation on the hours that children could legally work, which was aimed at protecting young workers from exploitation and ensuring their education was not compromised by excessive work hours. The other options do not align with the fundamental provisions of the Wages and Hours Act. While the Act did mandate certain protections regarding wages and overtime pay, it did not eliminate minimum wage requirements or allow for the free hiring of underage workers; instead, it placed restrictions to protect those vulnerable to labor abuses. The act also included stipulations for overtime pay but it's important to clarify that not all employees were covered by these requirements.