The Field Operations Handbook (FOH) is an operations manual that provides Wage and Hour Division (WHD) investigators and staff with interpretations of statutory provisions, procedures for conducting investigations, and general administrative guidance. The FOH was developed by the WHD under the general authority to administer laws that the agency is charged with enforcing. The FOH reflects policies established through changes in legislation, regulations, significant court decisions, and the decisions and opinions of the WHD Administrator. It is not used as a device for establishing interpretative policy.
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) is publishing this FOH on the internet pursuant to its obligation under FOIA to make available administrative staff manuals and instructions to staff that affect members of the public, 5 U.S.C. 552(a)(2), and as a public service to provide public access to information regarding DOL programs. It is important to note that there will often be a delay between the publication of changes in legislation, regulations, significant court decisions, and the decisions or opinions of the WHD Administrator and the modification of these pages. Therefore, these pages may not reflect current legislation, regulations, significant court decisions, and decisions and opinions of the WHD Administrator and no express or implied guarantees are indicated. The Federal Register and the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) remain the official resources for regulatory information published by the DOL. Any errors in the FOH should be brought to the attention of the WHD.
As part of an FOH modernization project, technical revisions that did not affect the substance of the FOH were made to the entire FOH in 2016. Accordingly those chapters were published with the same substantive content at an earlier time. As a result of FOH modernization, FOH chapters are now in a digital-native format and will no longer be page-based. Therefore, FOH headers, which previously provided historical revision information, will be removed as subsequent revisions are incorporated. Revision information will be tracked in two places: 1) revision information for revisions published after the 2016 FOH modernization revision are tracked within each chapter’s content with a notation below any revised subsection indicating the effective date of new modifications to that subsection; and 2) revision information on revisions published prior to the 2016 FOH modernization revision can be found at the link below each chapter title (coming soon).
Chapter 10: FLSA Coverage: Employment Relationship, Statutory Exclusions, Geographical Limits
| Chapter | Sections | Date Last Modified (Revision Date) | Update Type | Update Number |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | TOC - 10b24(a) | 10/20/1993 | Revision | 596 |
| 10b24(b) - 10b31, line 10 | 06/12/1998 | Revision | 633 | |
| 10b31, line 11 - 10d | 10/20/1993 | Revision | 596 | |
| 10e | 05/16/2002 | Revision | 648 |
Chapter 11: Individual Coverage: FLSA - [HTML]
| Chapter | Sections | Date Last Modified (Revision Date) | Update Type | Update Number |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | (all) | 04/22/1994 | Revision | 606 |
Chapter 12: Enterprise Coverage - FLSA - [HTML]
| Chapter | Sections | Date Last Modified (Revision Date) | Update Type | Update Number |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | (all) | 06/22/1990 | Revision | 581 |
Chapter 13: Coverage of the Public Contracts Act - [HTML]
| Chapter | Sections | Date Last Modified (Revision Date) | Update Type | Update Number |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | (all) | 06/22/1990 | Revision | 581 |
Chapter 14: The McNamara-O'Hara Service Contract Act - [PDF]
| Chapter | Sections | Date Last Modified (Revision Date) | Update Type | Update Number |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | (all) | 10/25/2010 | Revision | 660 |
| 14 | 14e03 | 06/23/2022 | Revision | 777 |
Chapter 15: Davis-Bacon and Related Acts and Contract Work Hours and Safety Standards Act - [HTML]
| Chapter | Sections | Date Last Modified (Revision Date) | Update Type | Update Number |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 | (all) | 10/25/2010 | Revision | 660 |
Chapter 16: Title III: Consumer Credit Protection Act (Wage Garnishment)
| Chapter | Sections | Date Last Modified (Revision Date) | Update Type | Update Number |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 | (all) | 02/09/2001 | Revision | 644 |
Chapter 19: Executive Order 13706: Establishing Paid Sick Leave for Federal Contractors
| Chapter | Sections | Date Last Modified (Revision Date) | Update Type | Update Number |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19 | (all) | 01/14/2025 | Revision | 784 |
Chapter 20: Agriculture: Related and Seasonal Exemptions
| Chapter | Sections | Date Last Modified (Revision Date) | Update Type | Update Number |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 | TOC - 20b06 | 07/06/1990 | Revision | 583 |
| 20b07 | 07/13/2012 | Insert | 1859 | |
| 20c - 20w01 | 07/06/1990 | Revision | 583 |
Chapter 21: Retail or Service Establishment Exemptions from Sections 6 and 7 - [HTML]
| Chapter | Sections | Date Last Modified (Revision Date) | Update Type | Update Number |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 | TOC - 21cs00 | 07/12/1990 | Revision | 584 |
| 21cs01 - 21ct01(a), line 2 | 05/13/1994 | Revision | 609 | |
| 21ct01(a), line 3 - 21k09 | 07/12/1990 | Revision | 584 |
Chapter 22: Executive, Administrative, Professional, Computer, and Outside Sales Exemptions: FLSA Section 13(a)(1) (29 USC 213(a)(1))
| Chapter | Sections | Date Last Modified (Revision Date) | Update Type | Update Number |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22 | (all) | 11/29/2010 | Revision | 661 |
Chapter 23: Newspaper and Other Communication Exemptions - [HTML]
| Chapter | Sections | Date Last Modified (Revision Date) | Update Type | Update Number |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23 | TOC | 09/26/1983 | Revision | 510 |
| 23a | 02/02/1973 | Revision | 327 | |
| 23b | 09/16/1977 | Revision | 409 | |
| 23c | 02/02/1973 | Revision | 327 | |
| 23d | 06/15/1983 | Revision | 507 |
Chapter 24: Transportation Exemptions - [HTML]
| Chapter | Sections | Date Last Modified (Revision Date) | Update Type | Update Number |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24 | TOC: 24a - 24d | 02/26/1999 | Revision | 639 |
| TOC: 24e - 24i | 05/13/1982 | Revision | 492 | |
| TOC: 24j - 24l | 08/24/1979 | Revision | 449 | |
| 24a - 24b | 05/13/1982 | Revision | 492 | |
| 24c - 24c02(a), line 12/first paragraph | 06/25/1981 | Revision | 475 | |
| 24c02(a)(1) - 24c11 | 02/26/1999 | Revision | 639 | |
| 24d | 06/25/1981 | Revision | 475 | |
| 24e - 24f | 05/13/1982 | Revision | 492 | |
| 24g - 24g07(a)(7) | 12/12/1974 | Revision | 356 | |
| 24g07(a)(8) - 24g10, line 1 | 06/20/1974 | Revision | 348 | |
| 24g10, line 2 - 24g11 | 11/11/1977 | Revision | 412 | |
| 24h | 08/29/1974 | Revision | 355 | |
| 24i - 24j | 06/20/1974 | Revision | 348 | |
| 24k | 02/02/1973 | Revision | 327 | |
| 24l - 24l13(d) | 06/06/1974 | Revision | 346 | |
| 24l13(e) - 24l14 | 12/07/1984 | Revision | 522 |
Chapter 25: Other Exemptions - [HTML]
| Chapter | Sections | Date Last Modified (Revision Date) | Update Type | Update Number |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 | TOC | 04/15/1994 | Revision | 607 |
| 25a | 08/29/1974 | Revision | 355 | |
| (25b: reserved) | N/A | |||
| 25c | 02/02/1973 | Revision | 327 | |
| 25d | 06/06/1974 | Revision | 346 | |
| 25e - 25f | 06/20/1974 | Revision | 348 | |
| (25g: reserved) | N/A | |||
| 25h | 01/04/1973 | Revision | 324 | |
| 25i | 06/06/1974 | Revision | 346 | |
| 25j | 04/15/1994 | Revision | 607 | |
| 25k | 04/15/1975 | Revision | 362 | |
| 25l | 06/24/1975 | Revision | 368 | |
| 25m - 25n | 05/16/1974 | Revision | 343 | |
| 25o | 09/23/1975 | Revision | 375 | |
| 25p | 08/14/1974 | Insert | 1302 |
Chapter 30: Records, Minimum Wage, and Payment of Wages
| Chapter | Sections | Date Last Modified (Revision Date) | Update Type | Update Number |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 | 30d06 | 01/14/2025 | Revision | 785 |
| 30 | TOC - 30d | 12/15/2016 | Revision | 737 |
| 30 | TOC | 06/30/2000 | Revision | 641 |
| 30a - 30b05(c)(3)c. | 12/09/1988 | Revision | 563 | |
| 30b05(c)(3)d. - 30b06 | 06/30/2000 | Revision | 641 | |
| 30b07-30c13(b) | 12/09/1988 | Revision | 563 | |
| 30c13(c) - 30c13(f), line 10/first paragraph | 06/30/2000 | Revision | 641 | |
| 30c13(f), line 11/second paragraph - 30c14 | 12/09/1988 | Revision | 563 | |
| 30c15 - 30c16 | 06/30/2000 | Revision | 641 | |
| 30d | 06/20/2012 | Revision | 668 | |
| 30e - 30f | 12/09/1988 | Revision | 563 |
Chapter 31: Hours Worked - [HTML]
| Chapter | Sections | Date Last Modified (Revision Date) | Update Type | Update Number |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31 | TOC - 31a | 12/15/2000 | Revision | 643 |
| 31b - 31b22, line 13 | 09/19/1996 | Revision | 625 | |
| 31b22, line 14 - 31b23 | 12/15/2000 | Revision | 643 | |
| 31c - 31c00 | 05/29/1968 | Revision | 180 | |
| 31c01 - 31c02 | 03/06/1981 | Insert | 1608 | |
| 31c03 - 31c04 | 05/29/1968 | Revision | 180 | |
| 31c05 | 08/08/1988 | Insert | 1763 | |
| 31c06 - 31c08 | 05/29/1968 | Revision | 180 | |
| 31c09 | 07/31/1969 | Insert | 1077 | |
| 31c10 | 05/22/1995 | Insert | 1835 | |
| 31d | 05/30/1986 | Revision | 545 |
Chapter 32: Overtime - [HTML]
| Chapter | Sections | Date Last Modified (Revision Date) | Update Type | Update Number |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 32 | TOC | 06/30/2000 | Revision | 641 |
| 32a - 32b00 | 08/30/1976 | Revision | 387 | |
| 32b01 - 32b03 | 06/30/2000 | Revision | 641 | |
| 32b04 | 03/24/1967 | Revision | 138 | |
| 32b05 - 32c01(a)(1), line 3 | 10/09/1967 | Revision | 157 | |
| 32c01(a)(1), line 4 - 32c05 | 03/24/1967 | Revision | 138 | |
| 32d - 32d04(a) | 07/19/1971 | Revision | 293 | |
| 32d04(b) - 32d05(ab) | 02/11/1972 | Revision | 304 | |
| 32d05(ac) - 32d07 | 06/30/2000 | Revision | 641 | |
| 32d08 - 32d09 | 03/24/1967 | Revision | 138 | |
| 32d10 | 03/17/1978 | Insert | 1485 | |
| 32e - 32e01(a)(3)a. | 03/24/1967 | Revision | 138 | |
| 32e01(a)(3)b. - 32e04 | 06/30/2000 | Revision | 641 | |
| 32f | 03/24/1967 | Revision | 138 | |
| 32g - 32g03(a), line 3 | 02/26/1969 | Revision | 195 | |
| 32g03(a), line 4 - 32g07(a)(2), line 2 | 07/03/1967 | Revision | 148 | |
| 32g07(a)(2), line 3 - 32g09 | 02/28/1986 | Revision | 541 | |
| 32h - 32h05 | 11/14/1966 | Revision | 135 | |
| 32h06 - 32i01(d) | 03/24/1967 | Revision | 138 | |
| 32i01(e) - 32j17 | 06/30/2000 | Revision | 641 | |
| 32j18 | 06/20/2012 | Revision | 668 | |
| 32k - 32l | 06/30/2000 | Revision | 641 |
Chapter 33: Child Labor: FLSA - [HTML]
| Chapter | Sections | Date Last Modified (Revision Date) | Update Type | Update Number |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 33 | TOC - 33d | 09/22/2011 | Revision | 665 |
| 33e - 33f03(g)(5) | 02/01/2012 | Revision | 666 | |
| 33f03(g)(6) - 33f03(h)(8) | 09/22/2011 | Revision | 665 | |
| 33f03(h)(9) - 33f04 | 02/01/2012 | Revision | 666 | |
| 33g - 33h | 09/22/2011 | Revision | 665 |
Chapter 36: Field Sanitation and Temporary Labor Camp Standards in Agriculture under the Occupational Safety and Health Act
| Chapter | Sections | Date Last Modified (Revision Date) | Update Type | Update Number |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36 | (all) | 06/28/2013 | Revision | 671 |
Chapter 39: The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) - [HTML]
| Chapter | Sections | Date Last Modified (Revision Date) | Update Type | Update Number |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 39 | TOC - 39c04 | 03/01/2013 | Revision | 670 |
| 39d - 39d01(d) | 02/19/2015 | Insert | 1863 | |
| 39d01(e) - 39d03(c)(4) | 03/01/2013 | Revision | 670 | |
| 39d03(c)(5) - 39d03(d)(2)b., line 3 of second paragraph | 02/19/2015 | Insert | 1863 | |
| 39d03(d)(2)b., line 4 of second paragraph - 39o02(c) | 03/01/2013 | Revision | 670 |
Chapter 46: Enforcement of H-2B - [PDF]
| Chapter | Sections | Date Last Modified (Revision Date) | Update Type | Update Number |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 46 | (all) | 08/10/2016 | Revision | 695 |
Chapter 64: Employment of Workers with Disabilities at Subminimum Wages under Section 14(c) - [HTML]
| Chapter | Sections | Date Last Modified (Revision Date) | Update Type | Update Number |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 64 | TOC - 64i01(e) | 04/26/2001 | Revision | 646 |
| 64i01(f) - 64j00(e)(2)d., line 3 | 02/28/2003 | Revision | 649 | |
| 64j00(e)(2)d., line 4 - 64k02 | 04/26/2001 | Revision | 646 |