Labor Laws

Labor laws affect nearly every part of the employee-employer relationship—from wages and working hours to breaks, overtime, time off, workplace rules, and employees’ rights on the job.

At Worker Wisdom, our Labor Laws hub brings together our guides to federal and state employment laws that govern the workplace. Whether you’re wondering about your rights to overtime, breaks, pay, time off, or other workplace protections, you’ll find our latest guides organized by topic below.

Wages & Pay

Your employer generally must follow federal and state laws governing how much you are paid and when you receive your wages.

• Can Your Employer Deduct Money From Your Paycheck?
• What to Do If Your Employer Doesn’t Pay You
• Not Getting Paid on Time? What to Do When Your Paycheck Is Late
• Can Your Employer Make You Work Off the Clock?
• Can Your Employer Make You Work Through Lunch?

Overtime

Federal and state overtime laws determine when eligible employees must receive additional pay for hours worked beyond certain limits.

• Are You Entitled to Overtime Pay?
• Can Employers Force You to Work Overtime?
• Can You Be Forced to Work Overtime Without Pay?
• Can Your Employer Make You Work Off the Clock?

Breaks & Lunch Laws

Break laws vary considerably depending on federal law, state law, the employee’s age, and the type of work being performed.

• [Are Bathroom Breaks Required by Federal Law?]
• Can Your Employer Make You Work Through Lunch?
• [Your Legal Right to Work Breaks and Bathroom Time]

For a deeper look at workplace break requirements, visit our Breaks & Lunch Laws hub.

Working Hours & Schedules

Labor laws can affect when employees work, how their hours are recorded, and whether employers must pay for certain time spent working.

• Can Your Employer Make You Work Off the Clock?
• Can Your Employer Change Your Work Schedule Without Notice?
• Can Your Employer Make You Work on Your Day Off?

Time Off & Leave

Federal and state laws provide certain employees with protected leave and time-off rights.

These laws can cover situations involving medical leave, family responsibilities, pregnancy, military service, and other qualifying circumstances.

• Can Your Employer Deny Your Time Off?
• [Can Your Employer Fire You for Taking Medical Leave?]

Workplace Rules & Employer Policies

Employers can generally establish workplace policies, but those policies must still comply with applicable federal and state laws.

• Can Your Employer Make You Work on a Holiday?
• [Can Your Employer Change Your Job Duties?]
• Can Your Employer Make You Work on Your Day Off?

Employee Classification

Whether you are classified as exempt or non-exempt can significantly affect your rights under federal wage-and-hour laws.

• Exempt vs. Non-Exempt Employees: What’s the Difference?
• [Can Your Employer Misclassify You to Avoid Paying Overtime?]

Federal Labor Laws

Federal employment laws establish baseline protections for workers throughout the United States.

Some of the major federal laws affecting employees include:

• Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) — establishes federal minimum wage, overtime, recordkeeping, and child-labor requirements for covered employees.
• Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) — provides qualifying employees with protected leave for certain family and medical reasons.
• Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act) — establishes workplace safety and health requirements.
• National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) — protects certain employees’ rights to engage in protected concerted activity and governs many aspects of union and collective-bargaining rights.
• Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) — prohibits disability discrimination and provides certain accommodation rights.
• Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) — provides reasonable-accommodation protections for qualifying pregnancy-related limitations.
• Equal Pay Act (EPA) — addresses sex-based differences in pay for substantially equal work.
• Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) — protects qualifying employees from certain age discrimination.

Not every law applies to every employee or employer. Coverage and requirements can depend on factors such as employer size, job duties, location, and the employee’s circumstances.

State Labor Laws

Federal law is only part of the picture.

States can provide employees with protections that go beyond federal requirements. State laws may address:

• Minimum wage
• Overtime
• Meal and rest breaks
• Payday requirements
• Final paychecks
• Paid sick leave
• Family and medical leave
• Workplace scheduling
• Wage deductions
• Employee classification
• Other workplace rights

That’s why an answer under federal law may not be the complete answer for an employee in a particular state.

When a WorkerWisdom article discusses a specific state law, we’ll identify the state and explain how its requirements differ from federal law when appropriate.

Understanding Your Labor Rights

Labor laws can be complicated because more than one law may apply to the same situation.

For example, an employee who is not paid for time spent working through lunch could potentially have questions involving:

• Federal wage law
• State wage law
• Break requirements
• Overtime
• Timekeeping requirements

That’s why it’s important to look at the specific circumstances rather than assuming that one general workplace rule applies everywhere.

Worker Wisdom’s goal is to make these laws easier to understand by breaking complicated employment-law questions into straightforward, practical guides.

Labor Laws: The Bottom Line

Whether you’re dealing with a paycheck problem, overtime, workplace breaks, scheduling, time off, or another employment issue, understanding the labor laws that apply to you is an important first step.

Browse the topics above to find the WorkerWisdom guide that addresses your specific question.

Disclaimer

This page is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Employment laws vary by state and individual circumstances. Please consult a qualified attorney for advice about your situation. Please read our Terms and Conditions.