A Level History - America - Practice Exam

Which legislation established a formal 40-hour work week in America?

1. Social Security Act

2. National Labor Relations Act

3. Wages and Hours Act

4. Fair Labor Standards Act

The correct answer is: Wages and Hours Act

The Fair Labor Standards Act is the legislation that established a formal 40-hour work week in America. Enacted in 1938, this Act aimed to set standards for minimum wage, overtime pay, recordkeeping, and youth employment. It was a significant piece of legislation during the New Deal era that aimed to protect workers' rights and ensure fair labor practices. The 40-hour work week became a crucial part of labor standards, promoting a balance between work and personal life and establishing overtime pay for hours worked beyond the standard work week. The options pointing to other pieces of legislation, such as the Social Security Act, the National Labor Relations Act, and the Wages and Hours Act, address different aspects of labor and social welfare policies. The Social Security Act focuses primarily on providing social insurance and retirement benefits. The National Labor Relations Act centers on protecting the rights of employees to organize and negotiate with their employers. The Wages and Hours Act, while it might suggest regulation of working hours or wages, does not specifically create or formalize the 40-hour work week like the Fair Labor Standards Act does.