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Employment Labor Codes Database

Access official state employment laws and understand your workplace rights. Direct links to government sources with expert explanations of key provisions.

Understanding Your Rights is Critical

Employment laws vary significantly by state and change frequently. The information provided links to official government sources, but laws can be complex. Consult with an employment attorney for advice specific to your situation.

Employment Law Practice Areas

Understanding common violations and what steps to take to protect your rights.

Wage & Hour Laws

Minimum wage, overtime, meal breaks, and payment requirements

Common Violations

  • Unpaid overtime compensation
  • Working off the clock without pay
  • Misclassification as exempt employee

What to Do

  • Keep detailed records of hours worked
  • Document all work performed off the clock
  • Save pay stubs and time records
Learn More About Wage & Hour Laws

Discrimination Laws

Protection against workplace discrimination based on protected characteristics

Common Violations

  • Hiring discrimination based on race, gender, age
  • Promotion denied due to protected status
  • Unequal pay for equal work

What to Do

  • Document discriminatory incidents and comments
  • Keep records of unequal treatment
  • Report to HR and keep copies of complaints
Learn More About Discrimination Laws

Sexual Harassment

Protection against sexual harassment and hostile work environments

Common Violations

  • Unwelcome sexual advances by supervisors
  • Quid pro quo harassment for job benefits
  • Hostile work environment with sexual conduct

What to Do

  • Document all incidents with dates and witnesses
  • Report harassment to HR in writing
  • Preserve evidence including emails and texts
Learn More About Sexual Harassment

Retaliation Protection

Protection for employees who report violations or exercise rights

Common Violations

  • Fired for filing discrimination complaint
  • Demoted for reporting safety violations
  • Harassed for taking protected leave

What to Do

  • Document the protected activity you engaged in
  • Keep records of adverse actions taken
  • Show connection between activity and retaliation
Learn More About Retaliation Protection

Wrongful Termination

Protection against illegal firing and contract violations

Common Violations

  • Fired for discriminatory reasons
  • Termination in violation of employment contract
  • Fired for refusing to commit illegal acts

What to Do

  • Review employment contract and handbook
  • Document circumstances of termination
  • Gather evidence of illegal reasons
Learn More About Wrongful Termination

Workers' Compensation

Protection and benefits for workplace injuries and illnesses

Common Violations

  • Denied workers' comp claim without cause
  • Retaliation for filing injury claim
  • Forced to return to work too early

What to Do

  • Report workplace injury immediately
  • Seek appropriate medical treatment
  • Keep detailed records of injury and treatment
Learn More About Workers' Compensation

State Employment Laws & Official Codes

Access official state labor codes with direct government links and expert analysis.

Arizona

AZ

Arizona employment law includes state-specific protections beyond federal requirements, particularly for wage and hour issues.

Official Arizona Labor Code
Wage & Hour: A.R.S. § 23-350 et seq. - Minimum Wage Act
Discrimination: A.R.S. § 41-1461 et seq. - Civil Rights Act
Sexual Harassment: A.R.S. § 41-1463

California

CA

California offers the strongest worker protections in the nation with comprehensive employment laws and higher standards than federal requirements.

Official California Labor Code
Wage & Hour: Labor Code Sections 200-2699
Discrimination: Government Code Sections 12900-12996
Sexual Harassment: Government Code Section 12940(j)

Colorado

CO

Colorado provides strong employee protections including comprehensive anti-discrimination laws and progressive workplace policies.

Official Colorado Labor Code
Wage & Hour: C.R.S. § 8-4-101 et seq. - Wage Claim Act
Discrimination: C.R.S. § 24-34-401 et seq. - Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act
Sexual Harassment: C.R.S. § 24-34-402(1)(a)

Connecticut

CT

Connecticut has comprehensive employment laws that often exceed federal protections, particularly in anti-discrimination and wage laws.

Official Connecticut Labor Code
Wage & Hour: Conn. Gen. Stat. § 31-58 et seq. - Wage and Hour Laws
Discrimination: Conn. Gen. Stat. § 46a-51 et seq. - Fair Employment Practices Act
Sexual Harassment: Conn. Gen. Stat. § 46a-60

Florida

FL

Florida employment law generally follows federal standards with some additional state protections for workers.

Official Florida Labor Code
Wage & Hour: Chapter 448 - Wages, Hours, and Fringe Benefits
Discrimination: Chapter 760 - Discrimination in Places of Public Accommodation and Employment
Sexual Harassment: Section 760.10(1)(a)

Georgia

GA

Georgia follows federal employment law standards with limited additional state-level worker protections.

Official Georgia Labor Code
Wage & Hour: O.C.G.A. § 34-4-1 et seq. - Payment of Wages
Discrimination: O.C.G.A. § 45-19-20 et seq. - Fair Employment Practices
Sexual Harassment: O.C.G.A. § 45-19-29

Illinois

IL

Illinois offers strong employee protections with comprehensive anti-discrimination laws and progressive workplace policies.

Official Illinois Labor Code
Wage & Hour: 820 ILCS 105/ - Minimum Wage Law and 820 ILCS 115/ - Wage Payment and Collection Act
Discrimination: 775 ILCS 5/ - Illinois Human Rights Act
Sexual Harassment: 775 ILCS 5/2-102(D)

Maryland

MD

Maryland offers comprehensive employment protections with strong anti-discrimination laws and worker rights.

Official Maryland Labor Code
Wage & Hour: Maryland Code, Labor and Employment § 3-401 et seq.
Discrimination: Maryland Code, State Government § 20-601 et seq.
Sexual Harassment: Maryland Code, State Government § 20-606

Massachusetts

MA

Massachusetts has some of the strongest worker protections in the nation with comprehensive employment laws.

Official Massachusetts Labor Code
Wage & Hour: M.G.L. Chapter 149 - Labor and Industries
Discrimination: M.G.L. Chapter 151B - Unlawful Discrimination
Sexual Harassment: M.G.L. Chapter 151B Section 3A

Michigan

MI

Michigan provides solid employment protections with state-specific anti-discrimination and wage laws.

Official Michigan Labor Code
Wage & Hour: MCL 408.381 et seq. - Payment of Wages and Fringe Benefits Act
Discrimination: MCL 37.2101 et seq. - Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act
Sexual Harassment: MCL 37.2202(1)(a)

Minnesota

MN

Minnesota offers strong worker protections with comprehensive employment laws and progressive workplace policies.

Official Minnesota Labor Code
Wage & Hour: Minn. Stat. Chapter 177 - Fair Labor Standards
Discrimination: Minn. Stat. Chapter 363A - Human Rights
Sexual Harassment: Minn. Stat. § 363A.08

New York

NY

New York has some of the most comprehensive worker protections in the nation with extensive employment laws.

Official New York Labor Code
Wage & Hour: Labor Law Articles 6, 19, and 19-A
Discrimination: Executive Law Article 15 (Human Rights Law)
Sexual Harassment: Executive Law Section 296-D

North Carolina

NC

North Carolina follows federal employment standards with some additional state protections for workers.

Official North Carolina Labor Code
Wage & Hour: N.C. Gen. Stat. Chapter 95 - Wage and Hour Act
Discrimination: N.C. Gen. Stat. Chapter 143 - Equal Employment Practices Act
Sexual Harassment: N.C. Gen. Stat. § 143-422.2

Ohio

OH

Ohio provides solid employment protections with state-specific anti-discrimination and whistleblower laws.

Official Ohio Labor Code
Wage & Hour: Ohio Revised Code Chapter 4111 - Minimum Fair Wage Standards
Discrimination: Ohio Revised Code Chapter 4112 - Civil Rights Commission
Sexual Harassment: Ohio Revised Code Section 4112.02(A)

Oregon

OR

Oregon offers strong worker protections with comprehensive employment laws and progressive workplace policies.

Official Oregon Labor Code
Wage & Hour: ORS Chapter 653 - Wage and Hour Laws
Discrimination: ORS Chapter 659A - Unlawful Discrimination
Sexual Harassment: ORS 659A.030

Pennsylvania

PA

Pennsylvania provides solid employment protections with state-specific anti-discrimination and wage laws.

Official Pennsylvania Labor Code
Wage & Hour: 43 P.S. § 333.101 et seq. - Minimum Wage Act
Discrimination: 43 P.S. § 951 et seq. - Human Relations Act
Sexual Harassment: 43 P.S. § 955(a)

Tennessee

TN

Tennessee follows federal employment standards with some additional state protections for workers.

Official Tennessee Labor Code
Wage & Hour: Tenn. Code Ann. § 50-2-101 et seq. - Wage Regulation Act
Discrimination: Tenn. Code Ann. § 4-21-101 et seq. - Human Rights Act
Sexual Harassment: Tenn. Code Ann. § 4-21-311

Texas

TX

Texas follows federal employment standards with some state-specific protections, particularly for wage and hour issues.

Official Texas Labor Code
Wage & Hour: Labor Code Title 2, Chapters 61-64
Discrimination: Labor Code Title 2, Chapter 21
Sexual Harassment: Labor Code Section 21.051

Virginia

VA

Virginia follows federal employment standards with some additional state protections for workers.

Official Virginia Labor Code
Wage & Hour: Va. Code § 40.1-29 et seq. - Payment of Wages
Discrimination: Va. Code § 2.2-3900 et seq. - Human Rights Act
Sexual Harassment: Va. Code § 2.2-3904

Washington

WA

Washington offers strong worker protections with comprehensive employment laws and progressive workplace policies.

Official Washington Labor Code
Wage & Hour: RCW 49.46 - Minimum Wage Requirements and Labor Standards
Discrimination: RCW 49.60 - Discrimination—Human Rights Commission
Sexual Harassment: RCW 49.60.180

Wisconsin

WI

Wisconsin provides solid employment protections with state-specific anti-discrimination and wage laws.

Official Wisconsin Labor Code
Wage & Hour: Wis. Stat. Chapter 109 - Wage Claims
Discrimination: Wis. Stat. Chapter 111 - Fair Employment
Sexual Harassment: Wis. Stat. § 111.322

Need Help Understanding Your Rights?

Employment laws can be complex and vary by state. Our experienced attorneys can explain your rights and help you take action to protect them.