The FLSA covers a wide range of employees in the public sector. The act does not, however, apply to all employees. Some individuals simply are not covered (non-covered employees). Others, while covered by the act, are exempted from certain provisions (exempt employees).

Non-covered employees are not bound by any provisions of the FLSA. Exempt employees, while covered by the FLSA, are exempt from its minimum wage and overtime provisions. Employers must keep records for non-exempt and exempt employees, however, there are no FLSA record keeping requirement for non-covered employees.

The central overtime provision of the FLSA states that “no employer shall employ any of his employees ... for a work week longer than forty hours unless such employee receives compensation ... at a rate not less than one and one-half times the regular rate at which he is employed.” 29 U.S.C. § 207(a). Section 29 U.S.C. § 203(d) of the act defines an employer to include “any person acting directly or indirectly in the interest of an employer in relation to an employee,” including a public agency.