Labor laws are regulations that govern the relationship between employers and employees. They are designed to protect workers from exploitation and ensure they are treated fairly.
If you are a remote employee in the United States of America, you need to be aware of the labor laws currently available for remote employees. This guide will give you an overview of remote employees’ most relevant labor laws.
The Fair Labor Standards Act
As a federal statute, the FLSA establishes guidelines for such things as overtime pay, minimum wage, and child labor. No matter if a worker is at home or in an office, they are subject to this law.
All hours worked must be compensated for at least the state minimum wage under the Fair Labor Standards Act. Overtime pay for certain categories of employees must be paid at a rate of 1.5 times the regular hourly rate. Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, minors are not allowed to work more than 16 hours per week.
The National Labor Relations Act
The National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) was enacted in 1935 to protect the rights of employees to engage in collective bargaining and other forms of concerted activity for their benefit.
The NLRA applies to all private-sector employers, regardless of size, and covers most employees, including those who are not unionized.
The NLRA gives employees the right to:
- Engage in collective bargaining with their employer
- Organize a union in order to negotiate with their employer about hours, wages, and other employment terms and conditions
- Strike or take other concerted activities for mutual aid or protection
- Refuse to do work that they reasonably believe is unsafe
State Labor Laws
Here’s an overview of the most important state labor laws for remote employees.
In addition to the federal labor laws, each state has labor laws that may apply to remote employees. Some of the most important state labor laws for remote workers include:
Minimum Wage Laws
There are some things to note regarding minimum wage laws and your remote workers. At a federal (national) level, the minimum wage is 7 dollars and 25 cents per hour, so even states with a lower minimum wage must pay at least this amount.
It is also important to note that the minimum wage for tipped workers may vary from state to state, so it is important to research the laws in your area.
Overtime Pay Laws
If an employee is working more than 40 hours in a week, then they may be entitled to overtime pay at a rate of 1.5 times their regular hourly wage. This is true regardless of whether the eligible employee is working in an office or from home.
Child Labor Laws
As a remote employee, you are not subject to the same child labor laws as employees who work in a traditional office setting. However, there are still some important things to keep in mind when it comes to working with minors.
For example, if you plan on hiring a virtual assistant who is under the age of 18, you will need to make sure that they are not working more than three hours per day and are not working during school hours.
Final Thoughts
Labor laws are regulations that govern the relationship between employers and employees. They are designed to protect workers from exploitation and ensure they are treated fairly.
Remember, if you have any questions about your rights or working conditions, you should always consult an experienced attorney. (See also: United States Business Compliance Trends)
