Employment Law and Child Labor Restrictions

Federal law requiring employers with 50+ employees to provide up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave for family or medical reasons.

Employers must provide notice to both workers and government authorities before a mass layoff.

Federal employees may be eligible for up to 12 weeks of paid leave for family or medical reasons.

Military caregivers may be eligible for up to 26 weeks of unpaid leave within a 12-month period if a family member is injured or ill during active duty.

Employees may be eligible for 12 weeks of unpaid leave to address non-medical emergencies related to a family member's active military duty.

A legal doctrine that allows employers to terminate employees at any time, for any reason, without warning, as long as it is not for an illegal reason.

A contract where an employer can only terminate an employee for a specific set of reasons outlined in the agreement.

When an employee is fired for a reason that is illegal or violates public policy.

A legal theory that allows employees to sue employers for emotional distress caused by wrongful discharge.

A false statement that harms someone's reputation.

A law that requires employers to provide notice to employees before a mass layoff or plant closure.

The minimum wage that employers must pay workers under federal law.

The extra pay that employees receive for working more than 40 hours per week.

A law that sets standards for child labor, minimum wage, and overtime pay.

A law that prohibits employers from discriminating against individuals with disabilities.

A legal system where individuals can sue an employer if injured due to negligence. However, if an employee receives workers' compensation, they forfeit the right to sue.

A federal program that provides retirement, survivors, and disability insurance to eligible individuals. It is funded through mandatory contributions from both employers and employees.

The amount of income subject to Social Security taxes. In 2024, the maximum taxable earnings are $168,600.

The contribution to Social Security made by both employers and employees. This is a mandatory tax that is split between the two parties.

The amount of Social Security tax paid by employees (6.2% of earnings) and equally matched by employers.

Social Security benefits are earned by accumulating credits based on your work history and earnings. Most people need 40 credits to qualify for Social Security.

This refers to the different types of benefits offered by Social Security, including retirement, survivors, and disability insurance.

The age at which individuals become eligible for full Social Security retirement benefits. It varies depending on the year of birth.

OSHA compliance officers have the authority to inspect any workplace covered by OSHA regulations, regardless of prior notice. This includes both scheduled and unscheduled (pop-in) inspections.

State workers' compensation laws provide a framework for workers to receive compensation for injuries sustained on the job, regardless of fault. These laws establish an administrative process for handling claims and determining benefits.

Employers can either purchase insurance from a third-party provider or self-insure by directly paying claims. The choice depends on risk factors and the ability to manage claims effectively.

To be eligible for workers' compensation benefits, there must be a clear employer-employee relationship and the injury must have occurred during the course of employment.

Commuting to and from work is not considered 'on the job' time and therefore not covered by workers' compensation.

Workers' compensation benefits are typically a form of financial compensation provided by the employer or insurer to cover lost wages and medical expenses due to a work-related injury.

Workers' compensation is an exclusive remedy, meaning that an employee cannot simultaneously file a workers' compensation claim and sue their employer for additional compensation for the same injury.

Injured workers receive financial support and medical treatment through the workers' compensation system. They cannot also seek additional compensation by pursuing legal action against their employer for the same injury.

A federal health insurance program that provides coverage for Americans aged 65 and older, as well as individuals with certain disabilities.

A federal law that establishes standards for private retirement plans, ensuring responsible management, recordkeeping, investment, and vesting of benefits.

A federal agency that protects private pension plan benefits, ensuring timely and uninterrupted payments if a plan fails.

The number of years an employee must work at a company before they are fully entitled to their employer's contributions to their retirement plan.

A type of retirement plan that provides regular income payments to retirees after they stop working.

A retirement savings plan where employees contribute pre-tax income and employers may offer matching contributions.

A state-funded program providing healthcare coverage to low-income individuals and families.

The amount of money individuals need to contribute to Medicare to be eligible for benefits. It is earned through working and paying Medicare taxes.

A program that allows Medicare beneficiaries to choose their healthcare providers and receive all services through a private insurance plan.

A federal program providing unemployment benefits to individuals who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own.

An act that created the framework for unemployment insurance programs in the US, with states administering the benefits.

A system for providing continuation of health insurance coverage after job loss, allowing employees to remain enrolled in their employer's plan for a limited period.

A federal law that governs the privacy and security of protected health information (PHI) in employer-sponsored health plans.

A balancing test to determine the reasonableness of employer monitoring practices, considering both the employer's interests and the employee's expectation of privacy.

A federal law that prohibits the interception and disclosure of electronic communications without employee consent, with exemptions for employer-owned devices used for business purposes.

An exception to the ECPA, allowing employers to monitor communications through employer-owned or provided devices for business use, as long as employees are notified.

A federal law that restricts the use of lie detector tests by most private employers, with exemptions for certain industries and investigations.

A type of employment test that screens for drug use, subject to varying regulations for private and public employers.

The legal standard for drug testing in private workplaces, generally requiring the tests to be reasonable.

A type of drug testing where employees are randomly selected for testing, often used in transportation and safety-sensitive industries.

The legal standard for drug testing in public workplaces, limited by the Fourth Amendment's protection against unreasonable searches, with specific exceptions.

A federal law that allows drug testing of government employees in the United States in limited circumstances.

Annual fees collected from pension plans by the PBGC to provide insurance against plan failures.