Owning a small business or creating a new business brings many responsibilities, including compliance with various federal labor and employment laws. The Wage and Hour Division (WHD) of the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) administers and enforces some of the nation’s most comprehensive federal labor laws. Collectively, these laws cover most private, state, and local government employment throughout the United States and its territories. Some states have labor laws that afford workers additional rights and protections; employers must comply with both federal and state laws.
As a business owner, you have the responsibility:
To pay your employees properly.
To maintain certain records.
To adhere to certain requirements if you employ minors.
To provide eligible workers with unpaid family or medical leave.
To notify your employees of their rights in the workplace.
WHD has more than 200 district, field, and area offices across the country with trained personnel available to assist employers and workers. We’re here to help you stay informed because following the law is good for business.