How many hours constitute overtime for a work week?

In the context of labor law, particularly under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), overtime is defined as the hours worked over the standard full-time threshold, which is typically 40 hours per week. This means that any hours worked beyond 40 in a single workweek must be compensated at a rate that is one and a half times the employee's regular wage. This standard aims to ensure that employees are fairly compensated for additional hours worked, thus promoting fair labor practices.

The other options do not align with this established standard for overtime. For instance, 35 hours do not exceed the regular workweek threshold and therefore would not qualify for overtime. Similarly, 45 or 50 hours do exceed the limit but are not the established benchmark for determining when overtime begins. Understanding that 40 hours is the cutoff for overtime hours is essential in the context of labor law and helps businesses comply with regulations while also ensuring employees are properly compensated for their time.