Whether you hire your own employees or independent contractors, you will need to have a solid understanding of federal and state labor laws covering everything from benefits and wages to discrimination and harassment. These resources will help you understand federal and state labor laws, which ones apply to you, and how to comply.

Employment Law Resources

• eLaws: Employment Laws Assistance for Workers and Small Business

Offers interactive e-tools that provide easy-to-understand information about a number of federal employment laws.

• Employment Law Guide

Covers the statutes and regulations administered by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL).

• Employment and Labor Laws: Compliance Assistance

Provides a gateway to resources that will help a business comply with U.S. labor laws.

• Government Incentives and Assistance for Employers

Covers a number of government incentives and programs offered by the DOL's Employment and Training Administration.

• Labor Laws for New and Small Business

Gives materials that employers can use to develop wage, benefit, safety and health, and nondiscrimination policies for their business.

• Summary of the Major Employment and Labor Laws

Explains the laws enforced by the DOL, which include laws covering equal employment opportunity, discrimination, immigration, wage determinations, and workers' compensation.

• Recording Requirements (Dept. of Labor)

Explains the certain recordkeeping and/or reporting requirements of employment laws such as the Occupational Safety and Health Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act and the Family and the Medical Leave Act.

• Verifying the Employment Eligibility of Your Employees without Committing Unlawful Discrimination

Assistance for small business employers to guide them through the process of verifying employment eligibility of employees.