Under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), how long are employers required to keep records related to wages, hours, and conditions of employment?

• A. 3 years
• B. 4 years or until the file is no longer active
• C. 7 years
• D. Permanently

Answer: (A)

Under the FLSA, employers must keep wage, hour, and employment-condition records for at least three years. This minimum retention period ensures there’s enough documentation for wage calculations, overtime determinations, and potential Department of Labor reviews or employee claims. It also aligns with the typical enforcement look-back period when violations could be considered willful, which can extend to three years. While keeping records longer is allowed, the law sets three years as the required minimum, not longer fixed durations or permanent retention.