Labor law compliance is important for organizations, as they make sure that the leaders are updated with the legal landscape in the business world. Labor laws cover immigrants from all kinds of areas that include part-time employees, employees hired on a contractual basis, or undocumented workers, in addition to full-time employees. Unlike the popular belief, labor laws are not limited to the developed industries; they are also applicable to small-scale industries, local businesses, and public undertakings. The federal anti-discrimination laws protect the interests of all the employees in the United States, irrespective of their citizenship or work eligibility.  

In this blog, we discuss how labor laws apply to immigrants and employers, and their importance in businesses today.

What are Labor Laws?

Labor laws majorly consist of a body of laws that can be applied to matters of employment, remuneration, trade unions, conditions of work, and industrial relations. These laws work upon the statutory legal relationships between the state and the economic interests of an organization. Some of the main functions of labor laws include the protection of the worker as the weaker group in the employment context and the regulation of industrial relations that can include different kinds of organized interest groups.

How are Labor Laws Applicable to Immigrants?

It has been stated that regardless of their immigration status, every employee qualifies for federal labor laws in the workplace. Under the Civil Rights Act of 1964, employers are prohibited from discriminating among their employees based on their caste, religion, race, sex, or national origin. Under the Fourteenth Amendment of the US Constitution, employment discrimination based on race or national origin of most kinds at the local or state government level is prohibited.  

In addition to the above, the Civil Rights Act of 1866 requires industries to follow certain laws based on the National Labor Relations Act, OSHA, and Fair Labor Standards Act for the health, safety, leaves, and minimum wage requirements for their workers. The Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) specifically protects the rights of undocumented workers. The Equal Pay Act (EPA) of 1963, ensures that employers of the opposite sex performing the same amount of work should be paid equally by the organizations.

How are Labor Laws Applicable to Employers?

Organizations are generally advised to familiarize themselves with the state and federal labor laws that apply to them and to have a basic understanding of these laws and their requirements. Labor laws allow the firms to set uniform expectations from the employees and the management can thus refer to the mentioned compliance requirements and legal obligations for the employees when needed.  

For companies that aim at sending their employees across international borders for short-term assignments or relocation can benefit from labor laws as well. The laws help them confront the legal policies of global travel or relocation. They prevent them from encountering problems in terms of border issues or detainment.

Why are Labor Laws Important to Employees and Employers?

Labor laws bridge the gap in the complex power dynamic involved in the employer-employee relationship. They give the employees a safe space to stand up for their rights and to speak up if they face any kind of discrimination in the workplace. They ensure that the management does not exploit the employees in terms of their rights regarding their safety, wages, health, and other such areas. Labor laws ensure that the workers have job security which is a major concern for immigrants. Equality is given priority at the workplace to ensure that the employees are given credit for their hard work.

Organizations benefit from labor laws in terms of employee retention and performance, which adds to the growth of the company. Following the labor laws ensures that the organization is protected from legal trouble. It makes a positive impact on the employer-employee relationship and leads to lesser conflicts. Labor laws are also made to protect the right of employers. The right of an organization to hire, and if needed, to lay off the employees is given to them by the law.  

Workplaces are more regulated spaces than their homes for the employees. It is a place where the employees bring their ideas, opinions, and perceptions about their own lives and blend their knowledge with their work. The implementation of labor laws in an organization ensures that the workers are provided with opportunities that make their careers more fulfilling and rewarding. They allow the employers and the workers to maintain a positive and clean work environment.

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