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.

Information on employment laws that regulate hiring, wages, hours and salary, discrimination, harrassment, employee benefits, paid time off, job applicant and employee testing, privacy and other workplace and employee rights issues.

Affirmative action in hiring is when race, ethnicity, disabilities, military background, socioeconomic status, and/or gender are considered when making hiring decision as a means to provide equal employment opportunity.

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) 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.

Constructive discharge occurs when an employee is forced to quit because the employer has made working conditions unbearable.

Dismissal compensation is the money an employee receives for being fired illegally.

Dismissal from employment (also known as being “fired” or “let go”) is the termination of employment against the will of the employee.

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.

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.

In today’s world of fast-developing technology, in which the click of mouse can dispense a plethora of information, privacy for job seekers and employees is a significant issue.

Employment discrimination happens when a job seeker or an employee is treated unfavorably because of his or her race, skin color, national origin, gender, disability, religion, or age. Here's information on the types of employment discrimination, employment discrimination laws, and what remedies are available to help combat discrimination issues.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is a federal agency charged with enforcing laws prohibiting job discrimination.

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.

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?

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.

How a criminal record effects employment and how to job search with a conviction history.

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.

The Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) protects the job rights of those who voluntarily or involuntarily leave employment positions to partake in military service.

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.

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.

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.

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act sets out requirements for employers to provide employees the time and space for nursing mothers to express breast milk throughout the work day for one full year after the birth of a child.

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.

Probation is a period during which a newly hired employee works before becoming a full employee.

Sample employment certificate (working papers) for minor seeking employment.

A person is considered self employed when they work for themself rather than for an employer. http://jobsearch.about.com/od/employmentlaw/a/employee.htm

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 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.

The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 makes it unlawful for contractors and subcontractors with the Federal government to discriminate against qualified individuals with disabilities.

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 Fair Labor Standards Act has no requirements that a company must give notice to an employee prior to a termination or lay-off.

Termination is when an employee's job ends. Termination can be a voluntary termination of employment by the employee. Employment can also be involuntary - when an employee is terminated by the employer.

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 eligibility requirements, when to file, how to file, benefits, rates, and answers to questions on unemployment compensation.

Department of Labor statutes, regulations and contact information.

The Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974 (VEVRAA) contains affirmative action provisions that forbid job discrimination.

Information on wrongful termination laws, including employee protection from wrongful discrimination and recourse available to employees who have been terminated.

Wrongful termination happens when an employee is discharged from employment for illegal reasons or if company policy is violated when the employee is fired.

Foreign labor law restricts the eligibility of non-U.S. citizens to work in the United States. In order to gain permission to work temporarily or permanently in the U.S., an applicant must be eligible to reside in the U.S according to the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).