{"id":371542,"date":"2016-03-31T21:34:24","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:34:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ability-fl-prod.internetbrands.com\/ability-law\/state\/arizona-law\/arizona-employment-laws.html"},"modified":"2026-07-10T10:57:00","modified_gmt":"2026-07-10T15:57:00","slug":"arizona-employment-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/arizona-law\/arizona-employment-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Arizona Employment Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\n \n Arizona Employment Laws\n <\/h1>\n \n \n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
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\n By Susan Buckner, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Catherine Hodder, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

Arizona<\/span> employment<\/span> laws<\/span> govern the relationship between employers and employees within the state. They regulate crucial workplace factors such as minimum wage<\/span>, overtime pay<\/span>, mandatory sick leave<\/span>, and occupational safety<\/span>. Additionally, these laws establish Arizona<\/span> as a right-to-work<\/span> state, protect workers from discrimination, and outline guidelines for workers’ compensation<\/span>, child labor, and independent contracting.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Arizona<\/span>, like other states, follows the Fair Labor Standards Act<\/span><\/a> (FLSA<\/span>). This federal law<\/span> sets the federal <\/span>minimum wage<\/span>, basic overtime pay<\/span> requirements, and other rules. Arizona<\/span> labor laws<\/span> can go beyond these federal guidelines, as long as they do not go below them.<\/p>\n

Arizona<\/span> state law<\/span> sets wage rates<\/span> and other employment laws<\/span> for Arizona<\/span> residents. The Industrial Commission of <\/span>Arizona<\/span><\/a> manages workers\u2019 compensation<\/span> insurance, labor law<\/span>, and workplace safety<\/span> for the state of <\/span>Arizona<\/span>.<\/p>\n

Overview of Arizona<\/span> Employment<\/span> Law<\/span><\/h2>\n

Employment laws<\/span> cover everything from the length of the work week<\/span> to the legal age of minor<\/span> employees. Some worker protections in Arizona<\/span> include:<\/p>\n

Wages, Overtime, and Sick Leave<\/span><\/h3>\n

The Arizona<\/span> minimum wage<\/span> is currently $15.15 per hour, almost twice the federal <\/span>minimum wage<\/span>. Tipped employees<\/span> must receive at least $12.15, unless their tips do not equal the minimum. If not, their employers must make up the difference. Payday<\/span> must fall at least twice per month.<\/p>\n

Arizona<\/span> has mandatory sick time<\/span> accrual (ARS \u00a7 23-372)<\/a>. Eligible workers must receive at least one hour of sick leave<\/span> for every 30 hours worked, up to 24 hours for small employers and 40 hours for large employers. Arizona<\/span> follows the federal Family and Medical Leave Act<\/span><\/a> (FMLA<\/span>), which gives eligible workers up to 12 weeks of unpaid protected leave to care for themselves or a sick family member<\/span>.<\/p>\n

Labor Rights<\/h3>\n

Arizona<\/span> is a right-to-work<\/span> state, meaning that employers may not require union membership or union participation as a condition of employment. Employers also cannot prevent workers from organizing a union. Any protections or benefits obtained by a union contract or collective <\/span>bargaining<\/span> agreement<\/span> must apply equally to union and non-union members.<\/p>\n

Arizona<\/span> requires all employers to carry workers\u2019 compensation<\/span> insurance. The Industrial Commission of <\/span>Arizona<\/span> (ICA) monitors employers for coverage. Failure to maintain coverage is a felony in the state. The only workers not covered by workers\u2019 compensation<\/span> are independent contractors<\/span> and domestic servants.<\/p>\n

Under both federal and Arizona<\/span> law, children under 14 years of age<\/span> cannot work full-time in any commercial job when school is in session. During school breaks and vacation time<\/span>, minors<\/span> may work full-time in certain occupations, but those under 18 are limited in the nature of the employment.<\/p>\n

Independent Contractors<\/span><\/h3>\n

Employment laws<\/span> in general do not apply to independent contractors<\/span>. By definition, an independent contractor<\/span> negotiates their own hours, pay, and working conditions with the employer. If there is a dispute, it is a breach of contract and a matter for civil courts, not the ICA.<\/p>\n

Issues may arise when an employer misclassifies<\/a> an employee as an \u201cindependent contractor<\/span>\u201d when they are actually an employee. This may occur when an employer classifies workers as contractors for tax exemptions<\/span> or to avoid paying insurance premiums.<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Learn About Arizona Accident and Injury Laws<\/h2>\n \n
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