Oklahoma ( OK ) Wage and Hour Laws

It is important for both employers and employees to understand all aspects of Oklahoma (OK) wage and hour laws. These laws are primarily adaptations of federal wage and hour laws.

Oklahoma’s minimum wage paid to workers is currently $5.15 per hour, which is the same wage requirement set by the federal government. There is some talk to raise the federal minimum wage using a three-step wage increase process.

If the federal government rules in favor of raising the national minimum wage to as high as $7.25 per hour standard it could affect the state of Oklahoma. That state would be required to comply with the new federal minimum wage standard. The exception to this would be if Oklahoma was to raise their minimum wage to a rate higher than the one of the federal government.

Federal laws, not Oklahoma (OK) wage and hour laws set the standards for breaks given to minors. For instance, workers under 18 are required to be given a 30 minute meal break if they work five or more hours in a row. Oklahoma follows the federal standard for breaks given to adult workers as well.

Oklahoma employees who are 18 and over are not required to be given a break. However, employers must pay for any breaks given that are shorter than 30 minutes (usually 5 to 20 minutes).

If employers give breaks to adult workers that are 30 minutes or longer those breaks do not have to be paid for by the employer if the employee is free from all duties. Employees may be called back for the shorter breaks, however.

Overtime must be paid to employees who work more than 40 hours within a seven day work week. Those who work overtime will be paid one and a half times the regular pay for those extra hours work.

Employees in Oklahoma that are not required to pay overtime include agricultural workers, as well as administrative, professional, and executive employees. No Oklahoma (OK) wage and hour laws make provisions for overtime. Instead, these are provisions made by the federal government.

In addition, Oklahoma (OK) wage and hour laws (laws adopted from federal wage and hour laws) state very clearly that paid hours such as holiday time, sick leave, vacation days, or time off are not counted as actual work hours. Therefore, those hours do not count towards overtime pay.

Oklahoma (OK) wage and hour laws are primarily adaptations of federal wage and hour laws. These laws were created to help improve working conditions within the United States, including in the state of Oklahoma.