Labor & Employment Law
Labor and Employment Law covers the rights individuals have at their jobs. It typically covers things such as hiring, firing, employment contracts, employment benefits, working conditions, wages, and overtime.
Most employees in the United States are employees at-will. This is a term used in United States Labor and Employment Law for the contractual relationship in which an employee can be dismissed by their employer for any reason and without warning, as long as the reason for termination is not illegal (i.e.., firing an employee because of their race).
Despite employment at-will, employees do still have rights that employers must follow. For example, it is prohibited in the United States to discriminate against a worker because of:
- Age
- Disability
- Genetic Information
- National Origin
- Pregnancy
- Race/Color
- Religion
- Sex
Retaliation
In the United States, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEO) establishes laws that prohibit employers from punishing job applicants or employees for asserting their rights against things such as discrimination and harassment.
For example, it is unlawful for an employer to fire an employee, cut their pay, or demote them for reporting harassment in the workplace.
Changes may occur in this area of law. The information provided is brought to you as a public service, and is intended to help you better understand the law in general. It is not intended to be legal advice regarding your particular problem or substitute for the advice of a lawyer.