Labor Law Center Blog » Blog Archive » South Dakota (SD) Labor and Employment Laws

South Dakota (SD) Labor and Employment Laws

September 21st, 2006 Posted by Marilyn

From recruitment and hiring of employees to termination and include unemployment and disability there are laws that must be followed. The laws are there for employers so that they have a guideline to follow in their employment practices and don’t take advantage of workers. The laws are there for employees to ensure fair payment of wages, and ensure equitable and safe working conditions. The laws most people are usually concerned about are wage and hour laws. South Dakota has no such laws of their own and instead follows federal guidelines.

South Dakota is an Employment-at-Will State and does not have any laws on the books pertaining to the separation of employment. The employer can hire anybody he wants and fire anybody he wants at any time as long as he does not discriminate against the employee. Discrimination and harassment on the basis of age, sex, race, religion, national origin, color or disability is considered illegal under South Dakota (SD) labor and employment laws. There is also a Right to Work law which states that employers may not use membership or non membership of an individual in a labor union or organization as a condition of employment.

South Dakota (SD) labor and employment laws place heavy emphasis on having a safe working environment. Every employer shall do their best to ensure that their place of employment is free from hazards and that there are safety devices and regulations in place that employees are made aware of. Most employers are required to carry Workers Compensation Insurance so that if an employee is injured or becomes sick on the job the employers’ carrier will cover the costs.

South Dakota (SD) labor and employment laws also limits the occupations that minors may work in and limits the number of hours that they may work.