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Employment Law - Labor Law

Employment and labor law including legal issues and information on employment benefits relevant to job seekers and employees.
Employment Law
Here is information on what you need to know about employment law when you're job searching - wages, background checks, required employment forms, unemployment, and other related information.
Employment Tests
Employers often use tests and other selection procedures to screen applicants for hire. The types of of tests and selection procedures utlized include cognitive tests, personality tests, medical examinations, credit checks, and background checks.
Age Discrimination
Suggestions and strategies for handling workplace age discrimination.
Americans with Disablities Act (ADA)
If you are an American with a disability, it's important to be aware of how the Americans with Disabilities (ADA) act impacts applicants for employment.
Child Labor Law - Child Labor Law and Regulations
Child labor law, enacted by the Federal Government, restrict when children can work and what jobs they can do. Child labor law restrictions include the type of work children can do and limits the hours worked by children.
COBRA - Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act
COBRA (Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act) gives workers and their families who lose their health benefits the option to continue group health benefits provided by their group health plan for limited periods of time under certain circumstances.
Drug Testing
There are several types of drugs tests that candidates for employment may be asked to take. The types of drug tests which show the presence of drugs or alcohol include urine drug screen, hair drug or alcohol testing, saliva drug screen, and sweat drug screen.
Employee or Independent Contractor?
It's important to know what your rights are if a company offers you a position as an independent contractor rather than hiring you as an employee.
Employment and Pregnancy
Interviewing while pregnant, when to tell your employer you're pregnant, pregnancy and disability law, and additional resources related to employment and pregnancy.
Employment at Will
Employment at will means that an employee can be terminated at any time without any reason. It also means that an employee can quit without reason. Employers are not required to provide notice when terminating an at-will employee.
Employment Physicals
Employers covered by federal laws against disability discrimination (over 15 employees) may require a pre-employment physical examination to determine the suitability of an individual for a job.
Employment Testing
There are several types of employment tests that candidates for employment may be asked to take. Tests can include aptitude, skills, literacy, personality, medical, and drug tests. In addition, employers may perform a background check to verify your work history and credentials.
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is a federal agency charged with enforcing laws prohibiting job discrimination.
Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)
When employers conduct a check of your background (credit, criminal, past employer) using a third party, the background check is covered by The Fair Credit Reporting Act(FCRA).
Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) provides for minimum standards for wages and overtime, and details how covered worktime must be compensated. The Fair Labor Standards Act also contains provisions related to child labor, and equal pay.
Family and Medical Leave Act
The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) can be of assistance if you need to take time off from work because of family responsibilities. The first step is to ask your employer what Family and Medical Leave Act benefits are provided to employees.
Full Time Employee
There are no legal guidelines that determine whether or not an employee is a full time employee. A determination of whether an employee is working full time depends on the company's policy and practice of defining full time employees.
Health Insurance for Unemployed Workers
One of the most important issues for unemployed workers, besides the loss of a paycheck, is health insurance. It's important to have, but it's also expensive. What options for health insurance coverage are available and how can you access health insurance coverage when you have lost your job?
I-9 Form
When hired for a new job, employees are required to prove that they are legally entitled to work in the United States. An Employment Eligibility Verification form (I-9 Form) must be completed and kept on file by the employer.
Job Searching With a Criminal Record
How a criminal record effects employment and how to job search with a conviction history.
Lie Detector Tests
The Employee Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA) prohibits most private employers from using lie detector tests, either for pre-employment screening or during the course of employment.
Moving On: Employee Benefits
Find out about the employment related benefits that you may be eligible for when you resign, get fired, or get laid-off from your job.
National Labor Relations Board (NLRB)
The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) is the federal agency that administers the National Labor Relations Act, the law which regulates relations between unions and employers in the private sector.
Non Compete Agreement
A non compete agreement is a contract between an employee and an employer, where the employee agrees not to enter into competition with the employer after s/he terminates employment.
Part Time Employee
There are no legal guidelines that determine whether or not an employee is a part time or full time employee. A determination of whether an employee is working part time depends on the company's policy and practice of defining employees and the hours required to be considered full time.
Right to Work
Right to work laws prohibit employers and labor unions from requiring membership in a union as a condition of employment, either before being hired or after the employee has started work.
Sample Employment Certificate
Sample employment certificate (working papers) for minor seeking employment.
Sexual Harassment - Hiring
Sexual harassment can occur in pre-employment hiring when unwelcome sexual advances (requests for sexual favors) are made as a term of employment, implicity or explicity.
Social Security Disability Insurance
Social Security Disability Insurance enables workers who are employed in covered employment and who have a medical condition that meets Social Security's definition of disability to collect benefits while they are unable to work.
Teen Labor Laws
Are you a teen looking for a job? Here are some tips to help you find a job, along with the rules and regulations on when you can work and how to get working papers.
The Gray Ceiling: How Old is Too Old?
Job seekers are reporting age discrimination beginning as early as the mid-thirties. How can this be addressed? What options are there for those of us considered "old" by hiring managers and companies?
Unemployment
Unemployment eligibility requirements, when to file, how to file, benefits, rates, and answers to questions on unemployment compensation.
US Department of Labor
Department of Labor statutes, regulations and contact information.
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