Title 29 — LaborRelease 119-73not60
§260 Liquidated Damages
Title 29 › Chapter 9— PORTAL-TO-PORTAL PAY › § 260
Summary
A court may cut or deny extra damages in Fair Labor Standards Act wage or overtime suits filed before/on/after May 14, 1947 if the employer proves they acted in good faith and reasonably believed their actions were legal.
Full Legal Text
Title 29, §260
Labor — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
In any action commenced prior to or on or after May 14, 1947 to recover unpaid minimum wages, unpaid overtime compensation, or liquidated damages, under the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, as amended [29 U.S.C. 201 et seq.], if the employer shows to the satisfaction of the court that the act or omission giving rise to such action was in good faith and that he had reasonable grounds for believing that his act or omission was not a violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, as amended, the court may, in its sound discretion, award no liquidated damages or award any amount thereof not to exceed the amount specified in section 216 of this title.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Editorial Notes
References in Text
The Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, as amended, referred to in text, is act June 25, 1938, ch. 676, 52 Stat. 1060, as amended, which is classified generally to chapter 8 (§ 201 et seq.) of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see section 201 of this title and Tables.
Amendments
1974—Pub. L. 93–259 substituted “section 216 of this title” for “section 216(b) of this title”.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
of 1974 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 93–259 effective May 1, 1974, see section 29(a) of Pub. L. 93–259, set out as a note under section 202 of this title.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
29 U.S.C. § 260
Title 29 — Labor
Last Updated
Apr 5, 2026
Release point: 119-73not60