What defines exempt employees under the Fair Labor Standards Act?

Exempt employees under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) are primarily defined as those who are paid on a fixed salary basis and are not entitled to overtime pay for hours worked over 40 in a workweek. This classification applies to certain categories of jobs, typically those involving executive, administrative, professional, outside sales, and certain computer-related positions.

The essence of the exemption is tied to the nature of the job duties performed, rather than the compensation structure alone. Being on a fixed salary signifies that these employees are expected to complete their job responsibilities without extra pay for additional hours worked, aligning with the intention of the FLSA to differentiate between employees who qualify for overtime based on their roles and compensation.

The other options describe characteristics that do not fit the exempt employee definition. Hourly workers typically receive overtime pay, temporary employees may not have the same job duties or expectations relating to exempt status, and part-time workers do not inherently fall into the exempt category based solely on their hours worked. Each of these categories has distinct guidelines under FLSA that do not align with the criteria defining exempt employees.