Employment Law in the United States by State

Employment laws of every country govern the relationships between employees and employers. These legal rules help in maintaining fairness in the workplace. To know what is employment law, you can consult your lawyer. Both employees and employers have to understand the federal law related to employment.

However, in the USA, there are some state-level employment regulations. Based on the state where you reside, it is important to learn about those rules. Let us make you familiar with employment laws in different states in the USA. Both US citizens and foreign workers have to know about fair labor standards.

Labor laws in Alabama

Alabama employment laws refer to a set of federal and state laws. These legal rules set provisions for minimum wage, wage payment, and child labor. In Alabama, every employee has the right to-

● Family leave

● Unemployment benefits

● Health coverage

● Safe workplace

● Social security

● Minimum wage

● Protection against discrimination

However, there are no state laws about overtime pay in Alabama. Still, employers need to comply with federal employment laws. The legal rules state that employees with weekly earnings below $455 must get overtime pay.

Labor laws in Oregon

According to Oregon employment law, employees can take sick leave when

● They are ill.

● Their close relatives are sick.

● They need to visit clinics.

● Someone in their families is seriously injured

● They have any mental disorder

Anyone working for an organization with at least 25 employees can be eligible for Oregon Family Leave. He can take a leave of 12 weeks every year for viable reasons-

● To adopt a child and take care of a newborn baby

● To care for your parents and spouse

● To manage your disability during pregnancy

● To take bereavement leave

Employers in Oregon need to provide PPE kits to employees dealing with machinery. The minimum wage in this state is $12.75. Moreover, for every 8-hour shift, you will get a mealtime.

Labor laws in Florida

According to the latest rules, the minimum wage of workers in Florida is $8.56 per hour. It is higher while compared to the federal-level minimum wage rules ($7.25 per hour). Moreover, Florida labor laws state that it is legal to keep the employees working for 10 hours. When the duration has crossed this duration, employers need to pay an additional amount.

In this state, there are no laws about meals and breaks. Employees can take a short break of 5 to 20 minutes. But, minor employees can take a 30-minute break every 4 hours of consistent effort.

Connecticut wage and hour laws

The minimum wage paid to Connecticut workers is $13 per hour. From 2022, it will be increased to $14. Based on the employment cost, the rate of minimum wage will be on the rise. However, the negative growth of the gross domestic product can prevent the increase in the minimum wage rate.

As an employee, you must also learn about the paid sick rules in Connecticut. Based on the duration of your work, you will get this leave. In this state, there is also a 30-minute meal period law. But, for a different meal schedule, the employee and the employer will need to make a written agreement.

Labor laws in Delaware

According to Delaware labor laws, the hourly wage of no employee should be less than $9.25. Employees can claim a training wage of $8.75 per hour. In the case of minor workers (14-17), the rate is $8.75 per hour. The minimum wage rules are not applicable for domestic workers in homes and agricultural workers.

Labor laws in Georgia

The minimum wage rate in this state is low, and currently, it is $5.15 per hour. However, when the federal and state-level wage rates are different, the higher one prevails. Thus, although the minimum wage in the state is low, workers will receive $7.25. But, these wage rate laws are not applicable for professionals who get monthly salaries.

Potential employees with a disability can contact Georgia's Vocational Rehabilitation Agency to find a job in the state. Based on their skills and education, disabled persons can apply for the job.

Moreover, employees in Georgia have no legal compulsion to give meal periods to workers. Still, they should give at least 5 to 20-minute meal period to employees.

Labor laws in Idaho

Interestingly, the minimum wage rate set by Idaho and federal laws has no difference. Workers will get at least $7.25 per hour. As the overtime compensations, workers need to pay at least 1.5x of the standard rate. However, one disadvantage of employees in Idaho is that they are not qualified to get sick pay, holiday, and paid vacation.

You have to know about the Idaho Human Rights Act, which prevents an employer from making discrimination based on the religious belief, color, race, disability, and age of employees.

Labor laws in Indiana

Like Idaho, Indiana has set the minimum wage rate to $7.25 per hour. For additional working hours, employers need to pay an amount, which is 1.5 times the regular rate. The rules do not state anything about the need to pay employees for holidays and sick days. But, several companies offer sick day coverage as their own policies to benefit employees.

Labor laws in Tennessee

Employers in Tennessee have legal rights to terminate workers anytime for any reason. But, they must not discriminate against employees and fire them. Employees can claim the unemployment benefit, and they will receive it within 21 days. However, in some cases, it takes 6 weeks to process the claim.

Labor laws in Virginia

There is no rule about minimum wage rates for independent contractors. But, the seasonal and part-time employees should get $9.50 per hour. As Virginia is an at-will US state, employers may fire someone at their own will at any time.

These are some laws in different states of the USA. You can speak to your employees to learn about the employment laws. For any complications related to employment, your legal professional will help you.