labor lawAdivision of labor law center

The list of federal laws dealing with employment issues is vast and varied. The federal laws usually act as a basis for the laws that the individual states create. In some cases the states do not have a law pertaining to a certain issue and then the federal law would apply. The federal laws in some form or another affect all employers and workers. Usually in cases where state and federal law differs the stricter of the two would apply.

There is a lot of confusion when it comes to Federal labor and employment laws and what is required of employers and what is not. I have done some research and will try to clarify a few of the most common misconceptions and popular issues. Many people think that the Fair Labor Standards Act, or FLSA pertains to leave benefits and this is simply not true. The FLSA sets basic standards for minimum wage and overtime pay. These laws do not require Vacation, holiday, severance, or sick pay, meal or rest periods, holidays off, or vacations, premium pay for weekend or holiday work, pay raises or fringe benefits.

Another one of the most popular federal labor and employment laws is the Family and Medical Leave Act or FMLA. This act allows for an unpaid leave of up to 12 weeks for certain medical conditions and family situations. The birth or adoption of a child is one example. The act also allows for an employee to take this time if they are needed to care for an immediate family member who is ill.

There are quite a few Federal labor and employment laws pertaining to wage payment in addition to the FLSA. Regulation of the employment of minors and child labor is one of the strictest and most heavily enforced aspects of Federal labor and employment laws.

Last 10 posts by Marilyn

• West Virginia (WV) Labor and Employment Laws - September 23rd, 2006
• Washington (WA) Labor and Employment Laws - September 23rd, 2006
• Virgin Islands (VI) Labor and Employment Laws - September 22nd, 2006
• Virginia (VA) Labor and Employment Laws - September 22nd, 2006
• Vermont (VT) Labor and Employment Laws - September 22nd, 2006
• Tennessee (TN) Labor and Employment Laws - September 21st, 2006
• Puerto Rico (PR) Labor and Employment Laws - September 21st, 2006
• South Dakota (SD) Labor and Employment Laws - September 21st, 2006
• South Carolina (SC) Labor and Employment Laws - September 21st, 2006
• Rhode Island (RI) Labor and Employment Laws - September 21st, 2006