State Labor Law and Employment Law Resources
State labor law and employment law research resources.
Articles & Resources
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Am I Entitled to Severance Pay?
If you are laid off, fired or forced to quit, are you entitled to severance pay by state or Federal law?
If you are laid off, fired or forced to quit, are you entitled to severance pay by state or Federal law?
Am I Entitled to Sick Leave Pay?
Find out if you're entitled to collect employer-provided sick leave pay and accrued sick leave pay under U.S. state or federal law.
Find out if you're entitled to collect employer-provided sick leave pay and accrued sick leave pay under U.S. state or federal law.
Am I Entitled to Vacation Pay?
Find out if you're entitled to collect employer-provided vacation pay and accrued vacation pay under state or federal law.
Find out if you're entitled to collect employer-provided vacation pay and accrued vacation pay under state or federal law.
Background Check
If you leave your job under less than desirable circumstances, should you be concerned that your ex-employer will reveal it during background checks?
If you leave your job under less than desirable circumstances, should you be concerned that your ex-employer will reveal it during background checks?
Background Check - Credit Report
Is it legal for U.S. employers to check your credit report as part of your employment background check?
Is it legal for U.S. employers to check your credit report as part of your employment background check?
Constructive Discharge
Constructive discharge means that, even though an employee quit because of intolerable working conditions, he or she might have suffered wrongful termination. Learn more about constructive discharge and what you can do about it.
Constructive discharge means that, even though an employee quit because of intolerable working conditions, he or she might have suffered wrongful termination. Learn more about constructive discharge and what you can do about it.
Defamation
If an employer intentionally defames you and it hurts your career, you might be entitled to collect monetary compensation through a defamation lawsuit.
If an employer intentionally defames you and it hurts your career, you might be entitled to collect monetary compensation through a defamation lawsuit.
Employee Rights
About your employee rights under U.S. state and Federal employment and labor laws.
About your employee rights under U.S. state and Federal employment and labor laws.
Employment at Will
What employment at will and good cause for termination mean, plus links to several related Federal laws, including whistle blowing laws.
What employment at will and good cause for termination mean, plus links to several related Federal laws, including whistle blowing laws.
Employment Discrimination
A simple explanation of employment discrimination in the U.S., to help you determine whether or not an employer has illegally discriminated against you. Includes tips for gaining relief and links to employment discrimination laws.
A simple explanation of employment discrimination in the U.S., to help you determine whether or not an employer has illegally discriminated against you. Includes tips for gaining relief and links to employment discrimination laws.
Employment Separation Agreements
It's a good idea to think ahead before accepting your employer's "bribe" to sign a separation agreement, a binding contract that limits your legal rights. (Also called Termination and Separation and Release Agreements.) Includes sample agreements and severance negotiating tips.
It's a good idea to think ahead before accepting your employer's "bribe" to sign a separation agreement, a binding contract that limits your legal rights. (Also called Termination and Separation and Release Agreements.) Includes sample agreements and severance negotiating tips.
Final Pay and Final Paychecks
When final pay or final paychecks are due and what's included after US employees quit or get fired or laid off. A link to final pay law summaries by state is included.
When final pay or final paychecks are due and what's included after US employees quit or get fired or laid off. A link to final pay law summaries by state is included.
Giving Two Weeks Notice of Resignation
Must you give two weeks notice in advance of resigning? The answer depends on whether or not you agreed to do so by contract. Includes a link to resignation letter samples you may download.
Must you give two weeks notice in advance of resigning? The answer depends on whether or not you agreed to do so by contract. Includes a link to resignation letter samples you may download.
Illegal Interview Questions
What they are and tips for handling them, along with sample illegal questions and reasons employers may ask for the same information in other ways.
What they are and tips for handling them, along with sample illegal questions and reasons employers may ask for the same information in other ways.
Minimum Wage
How much the current minimum wage is, who is entitled to receive it, and which law enforces it at the Federal and state level. Links for conducting further research into minimum wage law are included.
How much the current minimum wage is, who is entitled to receive it, and which law enforces it at the Federal and state level. Links for conducting further research into minimum wage law are included.
Non-Compete Agreement
What is a non-compete agreement? Is it legal? Can I break mine? Sample non-compete agreements are included.
What is a non-compete agreement? Is it legal? Can I break mine? Sample non-compete agreements are included.
Non-Disclosure Agreement
Find out what might happen if you refuse to sign a non-disclosure agreement or violate its terms of confidentiality. Sample non-disclosure agreement forms included.
Find out what might happen if you refuse to sign a non-disclosure agreement or violate its terms of confidentiality. Sample non-disclosure agreement forms included.
Overtime FAQs
U.S. overtime lawsuits are on the rise. Find out if you are entitled to overtime pay, whether or not you must work forced, mandatory overtime hours, and much more, in these FAQs about overtime regulations under the U.S. Fair Labor Standards Act. Updated to include the new overtime law. Also includes info about state overtime laws.
U.S. overtime lawsuits are on the rise. Find out if you are entitled to overtime pay, whether or not you must work forced, mandatory overtime hours, and much more, in these FAQs about overtime regulations under the U.S. Fair Labor Standards Act. Updated to include the new overtime law. Also includes info about state overtime laws.
Resignation Notice Pay
Discover whether or not you're entitled to pay through your notice period, if your employer terminates your employment shortly after you give advanced notice of resignation. Includes a link to free, formatted resignation letter samples you may download or copy for personal use.
Discover whether or not you're entitled to pay through your notice period, if your employer terminates your employment shortly after you give advanced notice of resignation. Includes a link to free, formatted resignation letter samples you may download or copy for personal use.
Right to Work
What right to work means, a list of right to work states, and links to right to work laws.
What right to work means, a list of right to work states, and links to right to work laws.
Seeking Employment with a Criminal Record
Answers to frequently-asked questions about seeking employment with a criminal record in the U.S.
Answers to frequently-asked questions about seeking employment with a criminal record in the U.S.
Sexual Harassment in the Workplace
Read about what constitutes sexual harassment in the workplace and how you may seek relief through a lawsuit.
Read about what constitutes sexual harassment in the workplace and how you may seek relief through a lawsuit.
Unemployment Insurance
If you lose your job in the U.S., there's a good chance that you are entitled to collect unemployment insurance checks and other benefits from your state unemployment office. Includes info on eligibility, benefits, and when and where to apply.
If you lose your job in the U.S., there's a good chance that you are entitled to collect unemployment insurance checks and other benefits from your state unemployment office. Includes info on eligibility, benefits, and when and where to apply.
Welfare to Work
About the legislation reforms, programs and services that help unemployed, disadvantaged and disabled people get off or avoid the welfare rolls, and become more self-sufficient through childcare, job-training and employment assistance.
About the legislation reforms, programs and services that help unemployed, disadvantaged and disabled people get off or avoid the welfare rolls, and become more self-sufficient through childcare, job-training and employment assistance.
What is Wrongful Termination?
Just because an employee was unfairly fired or forced to quit doesn't mean that he or she suffered wrongful termination; at least not according to law.
Just because an employee was unfairly fired or forced to quit doesn't mean that he or she suffered wrongful termination; at least not according to law.
Workers' Compensation Insurance
About eligibility, benefits, lawyers, and Federal and state laws, plus how to file and appeal a disability claim.
About eligibility, benefits, lawyers, and Federal and state laws, plus how to file and appeal a disability claim.
Workplace and Occupational Safety and Health Standards
Workplace and occupational safety and health standards, laws and regulations are enforced by the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration under the Occupational Safety and Health Act. Discover your rights under the OSH Act and what OSHA can do for you.
Workplace and occupational safety and health standards, laws and regulations are enforced by the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration under the Occupational Safety and Health Act. Discover your rights under the OSH Act and what OSHA can do for you.
Court Web Sites
Link to local, municipal, state, Federal and international court Websites, to research laws, court cases and judicial decisions. Maintained by the National Center for State Courts.
Link to local, municipal, state, Federal and international court Websites, to research laws, court cases and judicial decisions. Maintained by the National Center for State Courts.
Drug Testing
Link to summaries of workplace substance abuse laws by state, courtesy of the US Department of Labor and the Working Partners Substance Abuse Information Database (SAID).
Link to summaries of workplace substance abuse laws by state, courtesy of the US Department of Labor and the Working Partners Substance Abuse Information Database (SAID).
Labor and Employment Laws
Links to labor and employment laws (statutes) and related agency Websites of the fifty states, District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Maintained by the Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School.
Links to labor and employment laws (statutes) and related agency Websites of the fifty states, District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Maintained by the Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School.
Minimum Hourly Cash Wages for Tipped Employees
What each state requires as base, hourly pay for employees who receive tips as part of their income.
What each state requires as base, hourly pay for employees who receive tips as part of their income.
Minimum Wage Laws
Link to a summary of each state's minimum hourly wage and overtime criteria.
Link to a summary of each state's minimum hourly wage and overtime criteria.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Link to state agencies responsible for enforcing the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970. If your state does not have it's own program, then you are covered by the federal regional offices.
Link to state agencies responsible for enforcing the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970. If your state does not have it's own program, then you are covered by the federal regional offices.
Small Business Administration
Free help and research resources from the Federal Government, for starting up a business while complying with Federal, state and local laws.
Free help and research resources from the Federal Government, for starting up a business while complying with Federal, state and local laws.
State and Local Government Information
Link to a variety of state and local government resources to research bills, laws, judicial decisions, and more. Courtesy of the U.S. Library of Congress.
Link to a variety of state and local government resources to research bills, laws, judicial decisions, and more. Courtesy of the U.S. Library of Congress.
State Overtime Pay Laws
Overtime labor laws in brief, by Business Owner's Toolkit.
Overtime labor laws in brief, by Business Owner's Toolkit.
State Labor Offices
A list of addresses, phone numbers and URLs maintained by the US Department of Labor.
A list of addresses, phone numbers and URLs maintained by the US Department of Labor.
State Labor Offices
Links to the Websites of state labor department offices, maintained by the National Association of Governmental Labor Officials.
Links to the Websites of state labor department offices, maintained by the National Association of Governmental Labor Officials.
State Laws
Nolo.com, a commercial legal site for the public, provides free research resources for Federal and state laws and court cases. Includes labor and employment, small business, immigration, and variety of other topics. This section of Nolo links to state law resources.
Nolo.com, a commercial legal site for the public, provides free research resources for Federal and state laws and court cases. Includes labor and employment, small business, immigration, and variety of other topics. This section of Nolo links to state law resources.
State Laws and Labor Offices
Summaries of various employment-related laws by state, maintained by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment Standards Administration. Includes minimum wages and overtime pay, minimum rest and meal periods required, child labor issues, payday requirements, and right-to-work laws. Also lists contact information for state labor offices.
Summaries of various employment-related laws by state, maintained by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment Standards Administration. Includes minimum wages and overtime pay, minimum rest and meal periods required, child labor issues, payday requirements, and right-to-work laws. Also lists contact information for state labor offices.
State Workers' Compensation Offices
Research Workers' Compensation laws and benefits by state, using this list of addresses, phone numbers and links maintained by the US Department of Labor.
Research Workers' Compensation laws and benefits by state, using this list of addresses, phone numbers and links maintained by the US Department of Labor.
Workers' Compensation Laws and Benefits
For all states, summarized in table form. Maintained by the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Workers' Compensation Programs.
For all states, summarized in table form. Maintained by the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Workers' Compensation Programs.