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New Mexico Labor Laws

August 18th, 2006 Posted by Sarah

A quick search of the New Mexico labor laws reveals that this area of the state code encompasses many subjects. Some of these include wage payment rules, child labor laws, unemployment insurance and compensation, human rights provisions, apprenticeship guidelines, and public works project wage rates. Today I’ll give a quick overview of some of the highlights of New Mexico’s labor laws.

If you live or work in New Mexico should be glad to know that you are protected from many kinds of employment discrimination. Discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, age, physical or mental handicap, or serious medical condition is prohibited by the Human Rights Act. Also, if an employer has more than 50 employees discrimination on the basis of spousal affiliation is illegal. Finally, employers with more than 15 employees are prohibited from discriminating on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. Complaints of employment discrimination in the state are handled by the New Mexico Human Rights Division.

Child labor regulations are another important part of the New Mexico labor laws. Minors under 16 are required to get a work permit if they wish to work in the state. A variety of occupations are prohibited under the law for 14 and 15 year olds, while another set of jobs are deemed “hazardous” for 16 and 17 year olds. Under the state law 14 and 15 year olds are restricted in the hours they may work, but 16 and 17 year olds are not.

The New Mexico labor laws contain a number of provisions related to the payment of wages. The current minimum wage in the state is the same as the federal minimum wage of $5.15 per hour. Tipped employees may be paid $2.13 per hour, but their total hourly wages and tips combined must be at least $5.60 per hour. Wages in New Mexico must be paid at least once every 16 days. However, professional, administrative and executive employees may be paid once a month. Employees who are terminated from their jobs must be paid within five workings days of their termination, but employees who quit need only be paid by the next pay period. The state Wage and Hour bureau can be contacted to deal with claims of unpaid wages.

These are just a few of the many provisions in the New Mexico Labor laws. The New Mexico Complete Labor law poster contains a helpful listing of all the applicable federal and state laws on this topic.