4 important employment laws for employers and employees alike

On Behalf of | Aug 13, 2019 | Firm News |

Employment laws can be tricky. Employers and employees alike can find themselves in trouble if these laws are not understood properly. It is important for you to thoroughly understand the workplace laws that apply to your state. I have listed four important ones for you:

Working hours for employees under the age of 18

Labor laws in the US differ in every state. In North Carolina, for example, it is not permissible for children under the age of fourteen to be employed. Only very few exceptions to this law exist; for example, if the child is employed by the parents.

Above legal working age, types and duration of employment also differ according to the age group. Children who are ages fourteen to fifteen cannot work at workplaces that involve mining, powerful machinery, construction, alcohol, etc. For ages sixteen to seventeen, employment at workplaces that are hazardous to health is not allowed.

It is important to know that laws can differ according to an attorney – what applies in NC may not apply in your state. For a detailed consultation, you must contact in your state.

Discrimination laws

When folks hear the word ‘discrimination’, often racial or ethnic discrimination pops to the mind immediately. But discrimination can be of different kinds based on differences such as religion, sex, and sexual orientation. Discrimination laws help prevent workplace discrimination and safeguard employees from unfair treatment based on a certain characteristics.

Similarly, employee discrimination laws can differ according to the number of people that work in a company.

Are you looking to file a claim alleging workplace discrimination? Hurry up – you must file the claim within 180 days of the incident. You can either contact the EEOC or contact an attorney.

Occupational Safety and Health Act

OSHA is an important law that was passed in 1970 to ensure workplace safety. This act has an exhaustive list of regulations for a number of devices, appliances, machinery, and vehicles for the safety of employees at the workplace. It also has regulations and recommendations for workplaces that have extreme conditions.

If you are an employer, it is your responsibility to comply with the set of regulations relevant to your workplace. This may also include periodic checks by a third party with recognized certifications. If you are an employee, you must be thoroughly aware of the risks involved in working with such conditions, your rights, and whether your workplace is complying with the relevant safety regulations.

The Americans with Disabilities Act

This act was passed to prevent workplace discrimination against disabled persons and is applicable to workplaces with more than fifteen employees. The act defines what the term ‘disability’ means according to law and how such persons can face discrimination. Do you think you might be facing discrimination on the basis of a disability? Get in touch with me right away.

This list of employment laws is by no mean exhaustive. For more information on this subject, please contact me.