Chapter 5Work Laws & Responsibilities

Employment Laws

•Enacted by Congress•Enforced by the U.S. Department of Labor•Protects workers from:

▫Discrimination▫Unfair Labor Practices▫Unsafe Working Conditions

Minimum Wage•Established by the Fair

Labor Standards Act•Since 2009 Federal

Minimum Wage: $7.25•New Jersey Minimum

Wage: $7.25•Also establishes overtime

rate of pay▫1 ½ times your hourly rate▫Kicks in for hours worked

above 40 hours/week

Employment Laws

•Social Security Act▫Provides the following:

Old Age Retirement Income Survivorship Income Disability Income Health Insurance

Employment LawsUnemployment Insurance Worker’s Compensation

• Required under Social Security Act

• Provides income to workers who lose their jobs THROUGH NO FAULT OF THEIR OWN

• Requirements:▫ Must have worked for

certain period of time (Ex: 6 months )

▫ Benefits are paid on a limited number of weeks (Ex: 26 weeks)

• Insurance required by law• Provided by employer• Benefits paid to

employees/families who, as a result from the job,:▫ Become ill▫ Injuries▫ Death

• Regardless of who is at fault

Employment LawsFamily & Medical Leave Act Other Laws

• Allows Employees to take up to 12 weeks of UNPAID leave in a 12 month period

• For Certain Medical & Family Situations▫ Birth/Adoption Child▫ Care of immediate

family members with serious medical conditions

▫ Care of self

• Equal Pay Act• Civil Rights Act• Age Discrimination Act• Americans with

Disabilities Act

W-4 Form

•Informs employer how much tax to withhold from paycheck

•Withholdings are based onthe number of allowances claimed

•The more allowances claimed, the LESSn tax withheld

Form I-9

•Employment Eligibility Verification Form▫Verifies Identity▫Verifies Eligibility to work in the US▫Must provide multiple forms of ID

Driver’s License, Social Security Card, Passport, etc.

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