The DOL or The United States Department of Labor administers and enforces over 180 federal laws. These regulations cover several workplace activities of around 150 million workers from 10 million workplaces.
With some major and minor concerns, these laws are made. Here is a brief of DOL’s principal statutes, which are most commonly applicable to job seekers, businesses, contractors, grantees, and retirees.
7 Labor Laws You Need To Know
Covering all the 180 federal laws and making them understand will require a lot of time and a huge piece of information. So, here I am with the 7 major labor laws that you need to know. This also includes work injury rights.
Wages And Hours
The standards for wages and overtime pay are prescribed by the Fair Labor Standard Act that affects most public and private employment. Wage and Hour Division administered the act. As per this, the employers have to pay the covered employees the minimum wage and overtime pay of one-and-one-half-times the regular pay rate.
Workspace Safety And Health
The workspace safety and health fall under the Occupational Safety and Health Act. OSHA or OSHA-approved state programs regulate safety or health conditions in most of the private industries. As per this act, employers need to offer work and a workplace that is free from serious and recognized hazards. Having a business representative in charge of workplace safety is an important step and getting them the required Health and Safety Representative Training so they can fulfil the role and ensure the business is up to code. Through workplace investigations and inspections, OSHA enforces the law.
Worker’s Compensation
OWCP administers the Longshore and Harbor Worker’s Compensation Act, which offers medical care and compensation to certain maritime employees. Due to cancer caused by radiation, the employees or certain survivors of the Department of Energy, along with its contractors and subcontractors, get a total of $150,000 and prospective medical benefits. And a total of $50,000 with medical benefits are given to the employees with certain illnesses caused by the silica or beryllium incurred.
Employee Benefit Security
ERISA or Employee Retirement Income Security Act controls employers who offer welfare or pension benefit plans for their employees. Under ‘Title I’ of ERISA, a wide range of disclosure, fiduciary, and also reporting requirements of pension’s fiduciaries are covered. In order to protect certain kinds of retirement benefits, the insurance system also needs to be funded by certain employers and plan administrations under ‘Title IV.’
Unions And Their Members
Landrum-Griffin Act, which is also known as the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act of 1959, handles the relationship between any union and its members. To prevent corruption, these acts come under action. It makes sure that all the members are getting equal rights and nominations and also vote for their union leader. All the members have the right to attend meetings along with taking part in the discussions.
Employee Protection
Most public safety and labor laws, along with many environmental laws as well mandate whistleblower protection for every employee who has complained about violations of certain laws by their respective employers. And the remedies of this consist of job reinstatement and also payment of back wages. In most laws, OSHA enforces the protection of the whistleblower.
Family And Medical Leave Act
The Wage and Hour Division administer the FMLA or Family and Medical Leave Act. Any employers of 50 or more than that have to give leave of up to 12 weeks of unpaid leaves along with job protection only to the eligible employees for the adoption or birth of a child. This is also applicable to the serious illness of an employee, spouse, parent, or child.
Conclusion
Apart from all these 7 major labor laws, there are a lot more laws and regulations that are made to benefit the laborers of different
. There are also some laws for migrant and seasonal workers. Special laws are also made for the workers who work in special sectors such as mines. Constructions, transportations. On agricultural works, it is also illegal to appoint children below 18 years where there is a chance of serious hazards.
