Employment laws protect employees from unjust treatment in the workplace.
In the United States, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) is the agency that fosters, promotes, and develops the welfare of job seekers, wage earners, and retired employees. The DOL enforces employment laws that seek to improve the working conditions of employees at work, ensure equal advance opportunities, and ensure work-related rights and benefits.
These employment laws cover workplace activities for approximately 150 million employees and 10 million workplaces.
While the DOL enforces over 180 federal laws, here are the top 5 you should know about:
Wage and Hours Laws
One of the most relevant laws enforced by the DOL are laws that prescribe standards for wages and overtime pay. The Fair Labor Standards Act (FSLA), requires that employers pay covered employees at least the federal minimum wage rate. The law also mandates that an employer must pay an employee an overtime pay rate of one and a half times the regular pay rate.
For agricultural operations, labor law prohibits the employment of a child under age 16 during school hours or jobs considered to be too dangerous.
For non-agricultural operations, labor law restricts the hours that a child under age 16 can work.
Workplace Safety and Health Laws
Workplace safety and health conditions are administered by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). The Occupational Safety and Health Act regulates workplace safety and health conditions for most private and public sector employers that are regulated by OSHA or OSHA approved programs.
Employers covered under OSHA generally must ensure that their employees work in a workplace that is free from serious safety hazards.
Workers’ Compensation Laws
Although the DOL doesn’t have oversight of state compensation programs, the state of California does. California’s Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) monitors workers’ compensation claims, provides judicial services, and administrative services to assist employees in resolving disputes related to workers’ compensation claim benefits.
California’s DWC includes various programs and units including but not limited to an audit unit, disability evaluation unit, electronic adjudication management system, medical unit, return to work supplement program, and supplemental job displacement benefits unit.
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
FMLA requires that employers with 50 or more employees provide up to 12 weeks of unpaid, protected job leave to eligible employees. Under FLMA, eligible employees can take leave for the birth or adoption of a child, or a serious illness of the employee’s spouse, parent, or child. FMLA is administered by the Wage and Hour Division.
Employee Benefit Security Laws
Employers who offer a welfare or pension benefits plan to their employees are regulated by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). Title 1 of ERISA enforces a range of fiduciary, reporting, and disclosure requirements on fiduciaries of welfare and pension benefits plan.
Consult with our Department of Labor Attorneys Today
Los Angeles employees are protected by numerous employment laws. If your employer has violated any of your rights, you deserve justice. We are confident that our experienced attorneys can obtain the maximum compensation for your case and offer a “no win, no fee” guarantee. Contact Mesriani Law Group today for your free legal consultation.
