Key Federal Employment Laws to Know for Employment Law

Understanding key federal employment laws is essential for navigating workplace rights and responsibilities. These laws protect against discrimination, ensure fair wages, and promote safe working conditions, shaping a fair and equitable work environment for all employees.

1. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964

   • Prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.
   • Applies to employers with 15 or more employees, including federal, state, and local governments.
   • Establishes the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) to enforce compliance and investigate complaints.

2. Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)

   • Sets minimum wage, overtime pay, and child labor standards for employees in the private sector and federal, state, and local governments.
   • Requires payment of at least the federal minimum wage and overtime pay for hours worked over 40 in a workweek.
   • Exempts certain employees, such as executive, administrative, and professional workers, from overtime provisions.

3. Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

   • Entitles eligible employees to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave for specific family and medical reasons.
   • Applies to employers with 50 or more employees within a 75-mile radius.
   • Protects job security and continuation of health benefits during the leave period.

4. Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

   • Prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, including jobs, schools, and transportation.
   • Requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified employees with disabilities.
   • Applies to employers with 15 or more employees.

5. Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA)

   • Protects individuals aged 40 and older from employment discrimination based on age.
   • Applies to employers with 20 or more employees, including federal, state, and local governments.
   • Prohibits mandatory retirement ages for most employees.

6. Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA)

   • Ensures safe and healthful working conditions by setting and enforcing standards for workplace safety.
   • Requires employers to provide a workplace free from recognized hazards that could cause death or serious physical harm.
   • Allows employees to file complaints about unsafe working conditions without fear of retaliation.

7. National Labor Relations Act (NLRA)

   • Protects the rights of employees to organize, engage in collective bargaining, and take collective action.
   • Prohibits unfair labor practices by employers and unions.
   • Established the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to oversee and enforce labor laws.

8. Equal Pay Act

   • Requires that men and women be given equal pay for equal work in the same establishment.
   • Prohibits wage discrimination based on sex for jobs that require equal skill, effort, and responsibility.
   • Allows for exceptions based on seniority, merit, or other factors not related to sex.

9. Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA)

   • Sets minimum standards for pension and health plans in private industry to protect individuals in these plans.
   • Requires plans to provide participants with information about plan features and funding.
   • Establishes fiduciary responsibilities for those who manage and control plan assets.

10. Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA)

    • Prohibits employment discrimination based on national origin or citizenship status.
    • Requires employers to verify the employment eligibility of all employees through the I-9 form.
    • Provides a pathway to legal status for certain undocumented immigrants who meet specific criteria.