{"id":4701,"date":"2016-04-04T10:47:40","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:47:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/smallbusiness\/employment-law-and-human-resources\/employment-law-overview.html"},"modified":"2024-06-06T04:57:44","modified_gmt":"2024-06-06T09:57:44","slug":"employment-law-overview","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/smallbusiness\/employment-law-and-human-resources\/employment-law-overview.html","title":{"rendered":"Employment Law Overview"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Employment Law Overview<\/h1>\n
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\n By Susan Buckner, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Aviana Cooper, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
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Editorial Note: We earn a commission from affiliate partner links on FindLaw. Commissions do not affect the editorial integrity of our legal content.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n \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

All employers in the United States, from small businesses to large corporations, must follow federal laws about employment. Some laws only apply to businesses of certain sizes, such as the Family and Medical Leave Act. Some apply to all companies, no matter the size.<\/p>\r\n

This article provides an overview of what small business owners can expect. But, employment and labor laws are complex. For help ensuring your business complies with local laws, it’s best to consult with an attorney in your area.<\/p>\r\n

Pre-Employment Laws<\/h2>\r\n

Both employees and employers have rights and responsibilities in the workplace. In fact, employees’ rights begin even before employment. Employers must abide by federal and state laws about job postings, interviews, and wages and hours.<\/p>\r\n

Employers must follow anti-discrimination laws<\/a> when hiring, including when creating a job posting. Most federal laws state employers may not \u201crefuse to hire" otherwise qualified employees based on protected enumerated rights.<\/p>\r\n

In pre-employment terms, this means employers must:<\/p>\r\n