Labor Law Glossary
Search common labor law terms like "at-will employment," "FMLA," or "FLSA" to better understand your workplace rights.
35 terms found
ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act)
A federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities and requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations.
ADEA (Age Discrimination in Employment Act)
A federal law that protects employees who are 40 years of age or older from employment discrimination based on age.
At-Will Employment
A legal doctrine stating that an employer can terminate an employee for any reason (or no reason), and an employee can quit at any time, as long as the reason is not illegal (e.g., discriminatory or retaliatory).
COBRA (Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act)
A federal law allowing employees and their families to continue group health insurance coverage for a limited time after losing their job or having their hours reduced.
Collective Bargaining
The process by which a union and an employer negotiate wages, hours, and working conditions on behalf of a group of employees.
Constructive Dismissal
A situation where an employee resigns because the employer created intolerable working conditions, which may be treated legally as a termination.
EEO-1 Report
A federally mandated report that certain employers must file annually, providing workforce data broken down by race, ethnicity, sex, and job category.
EEOC (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission)
The federal agency responsible for enforcing laws that make it illegal to discriminate against a job applicant or employee based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetic information.
Employee Handbook
A document provided by an employer outlining company policies, procedures, and expectations, which may create enforceable rights in some jurisdictions.
Exempt Employee
An employee who is not entitled to overtime pay under the FLSA because they meet specific salary and job duty requirements (e.g., executive, administrative, or professional roles).
Final Paycheck
The last payment of wages owed to an employee upon termination or resignation; timing requirements vary by state law.
FLSA (Fair Labor Standards Act)
The federal law that establishes minimum wage, overtime pay eligibility, recordkeeping, and youth employment standards for employees in the private sector and in government.
FMLA (Family and Medical Leave Act)
A federal law that entitles eligible employees of covered employers to take unpaid, job-protected leave for specified family and medical reasons, with continuation of group health insurance coverage.
Hostile Work Environment
A workplace in which unwelcome conduct based on a protected characteristic is severe or pervasive enough to create an abusive or intimidating atmosphere.
Independent Contractor
A self-employed worker who provides services to a business under a contract, typically not entitled to the same protections and benefits as employees (e.g., minimum wage, overtime).
Meal and Rest Breaks
Periods during a workday, mandated by some state laws, during which an employee may rest or eat; requirements vary by jurisdiction and are not required under federal law.
Minimum Wage
The lowest hourly wage an employer can legally pay a worker, set by federal, state, or local law. Employers must pay the highest rate that applies.
Misclassification
The illegal practice of classifying an employee as an independent contractor to avoid paying benefits, overtime, or payroll taxes.
NLRA (National Labor Relations Act)
A federal law that protects employees' rights to organize, join unions, and engage in collective bargaining or other concerted activity for mutual aid.
Non-Exempt Employee
An employee who is covered by the FLSA's minimum wage and overtime provisions, meaning they must be paid at least 1.5x their regular rate for hours worked beyond 40 in a week.
OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration)
The federal agency that sets and enforces workplace safety and health standards to ensure safe and healthful working conditions.
Overtime Pay
Additional compensation, typically 1.5 times an employee's regular hourly rate, owed for hours worked beyond 40 in a single workweek under the FLSA.
Paid Sick Leave
Job-protected, paid leave that certain state and local laws require employers to provide so employees can address their own or a family member's illness.
Protected Class
A group of people legally protected from discrimination based on characteristics such as race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetic information.
PTO (Paid Time Off)
An employer policy that provides employees with paid leave for vacation, illness, or personal matters, typically accrued based on hours worked.
Reasonable Accommodation
A modification or adjustment to a job, work environment, or the way things are usually done that enables an employee with a disability to perform essential job functions.
Retaliation
Adverse action taken by an employer against an employee for engaging in a legally protected activity, such as filing a complaint, reporting harassment, or participating in an investigation.
Severance Pay
Compensation an employer may provide to an employee upon termination, often in exchange for a release of legal claims; not required by federal law in most cases.
Sexual Harassment
Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or other verbal/physical conduct of a sexual nature that affects employment conditions or creates a hostile work environment.
Title VII
A part of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 that prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, and national origin.
USERRA
The Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act, which protects the job rights of individuals who leave employment to perform military service.
Wage Theft
The illegal withholding of wages or benefits rightfully owed to an employee, such as unpaid overtime, minimum wage violations, or unpaid final wages.
Whistleblower Protection
Legal safeguards for employees who report illegal activity, safety violations, or fraud by their employer, protecting them from retaliation.
Workers' Compensation
A form of insurance providing wage replacement and medical benefits to employees injured in the course of employment, regardless of fault.
Wrongful Termination
The illegal firing of an employee, such as for discriminatory reasons, in retaliation for whistleblowing, or in violation of an employment contract.