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Working Age

ByROBERT ALEX FLEMING

The FSLA permits the employment of persons between the ages sixteen (16) and eighteen (18) only in occupations that the Secretary of Labor does not declare to be hazardous or detrimental to the health of children. Children between the ages of 14 and 16 are permitted to work (1) in occupations other than manufacturing and mining that are not oppressive child labor (i.e., that do not interfere with the child’s education, health, or well being);…

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Hours of Work in Puerto Rico

ByROBERT ALEX FLEMING

For employees covered under the FLSA, normal working hours should be no more than eight hours perday or forty hours per week. Employees who work in excess of normal hours are entitled to time-and-a-half wages.163 Employees covered by the FLSA are: any individual engaged in commerce or in the production of goods for commerce164, or an individual employed by a public agency165. Excluded from this Act are individuals employed by an employer engaged in agriculture…

Minimum Wage in Puerto Rico

ByROBERT ALEX FLEMING

The federal Fair Labor Standards Act’s minimum wage – $7.25/hour – applies to businesses operating in Puerto Rico that (1) have employees either (a) engaged in commerce or in the production of goods for commerce or (b) engaged in handling, selling, or otherwise working on goods or materials that have been moved in or produced for commerce by any person and (2) have annual gross volume of sales made or business done of at least…

Workers Compensation

ByROBERT ALEX FLEMING

Workers in Puerto Rico  are protected against accidents in the workplace through Puerto Rico’s government administered  State Insurance Fund Corporation (SIFC). Any natural or legal person who employs one or more workers for some economic or cash compensation is considered an employer under Puerto Rico’s workers compensation law. Employers must insure all their employees through the SIFC.  An employee is any person working for an individual, company, government entity or corporation and who receives compensation…

Resting For Performance

ByROBERT ALEX FLEMING

Studies show that when people pause to rest from extended activities,  their subsequent performance gets better.  This should not come as a surprise to us since we know from experience that  the more we work continuously,  the more our performance suffers.  By pausing  I’m not referring to the so-called coffee-break or time to socialize or to do personal tasks. In fact the laws in Puerto Rico do not require a coffee break, although some companies…