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Labor & Employment Law for Employers

The workplace can be fraught with legal issues. There are many statutes that deal specifically with employment law, which cover everything from hiring to firing. As an employer, it is important that you know what laws apply to you. An attorney can help you identify potential legal problems in the workplace, make sure you are obeying the law and defend you when you are accused of violating one of these laws.

Labor & Employment Laws

Although every state has its own individual employment laws, most regulation comes from the federal law. There are laws that cover practically every aspect of employment. Some of the major laws include:

Title VII of Civil Rights Ac of 1964t, Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

These laws particularly deal with the hiring and termination of employees. These laws are intended to prevent and punish discrimination against protected classes of people (such as race, sex, pregnancy, religion and national origin, age, or disability). These laws come into play in situations you may not usually think of, including job descriptions, advertising employment openings and privacy rights.

Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA)

In addition to complying with the Internal Revenue code, ERISA provides for the regulation of pension and employee retirement plans. It requires employers to appoint a benefits administrator, provide their employees with a description of the retirement plan and submit annual reports of your organization's accounting and operations.

Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA)

OSHA requires employers to maintain a safe work environment for its employees. It sets guidelines for health and safety as well as for training employees working in potentially hazardous conditions.

Fair Labor Standards Act

This statute requires employers to pay their employees at least the current minimum wage, but it may also require employers to pay overtime to employees, depending on whether the employee is an exempt or non-exempt employee.

Remember, these are only some examples of federal employment laws. There are also many state laws, which fill in the gaps that federal laws might leave behind. There are also other areas of employment law that deal with such matters as labor unions trade secrets, sexual harassment, insurance, whistle-blowers and privacy rights. Each of these laws has their own nuances and standards. Consulting an attorney is a good way to be certain which laws apply to you, and to learn how they apply.