employment laws. introduction the federal government has enacted many laws to protect workers. the...
Post on 18-Dec-2015
220 Views
Preview:
TRANSCRIPT
Employment Laws
Introduction
The federal government has enacted many laws to protect workers.
The Department of Labor is responsible for enforcing labor laws that: Provide
unemployment, disability, and retirement insurance benefits
Introduction
…labor laws that: Establish minimum
wage and regular working hours
Establish rules regarding overtime pay
Help workers injured on the job
Provide equal employment opportunities and prohibit discrimination
Establish safe working conditions
Introduction
Laws also specify a maxi-mum number of hours minors can work during the school year.
A work permit for those under age 16 is required in some states
Employees who believe they have not received the protections required by law may turn to the Department of Labor for recourse, or remedy.
Social Security Act
Passed in 1935Established a national
social insurance program that provides federal aid for the elderly and for disabled workers.
Social Security Act
In 1965 the Medicare provision was added.
It provides hospital and medical insurance for those 65 and older
Social Security provides these benefits: Old age retirement
income Survivorship income Disability income Health insurance
Social Security Act
Benefits received depend on the amount of contri-butions made
Contributions are mandatory for all workers
Employers deduct Social Security and Medicare taxes from employee’s pay and send it to the U.S. Treasury for crediting to your SS account
Social Security Act
Self employed workers pay their Social Security contributions when they pay their income taxes
Unemployment Compensation
The Social Security Act requires every state to have an unemployment insurance program
Unemployment insurance provides benefits to workers who lose their jobs through no fault of their own.
Unemployment Compensation
After a waiting period, laid-off or terminated workers may collect a portion of their regular pay for a certain length of time
Premiums for unemployment insurance are usually paid by employers
Unemployment Compensation
Usually benefits are paid for a maximum of 26 weeks through the local state employment office
In most states, an unemployed worker must wait for at least one week before receiving benefits
Unemployment Compensation
To receive benefits a worker must have been employed for a minimum period of time (6 months to 1 year) (depending on the state)
And…for a minimum amount of earnings ($400 or more per month in most states)
Unemployment Compensation
Workers fired for a valid reason such as poor performance, are usually not entitled to receive benefits.
Fair Labor Standards Act
Also known as the Wage and Hour Act, establishes a minimum wage
It also requires hourly workers to be paid over-time wages of 1 ½ times their hourly rate for hours worked beyond 40 per week
A minimum wage is the lowest wage that an employer may pay an employee
$7.25
Workers’ Compensation
Workers’ compensation is an insurance program that pays benefits to workers and/or their families for injury, illness, or death that occurs as a result of the job.
Workers’ Compensation
The employer is responsible for employee injuries and illnesses that are the result of employment, regardless of fault
Benefits include payment to doctors and hospitals, to the employee for temporary or permanent disability, and to survivors in the event of death
Family and Medical Leave Act
Allows employees to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave in a 12-month period for certain medical and family situations
Some employers may choose to pay employees during some types of leave, such as sick leave, but they are not required by law to do so
Family and Medical Leave Act
Valid circumstances for unpaid leave under the FMLA include: Birth and care of a newborn child, including adoption
of a child Care of an immediate family member (spouse, child,
or parent) with a serious health condition Medical leave when the employee is unable to work
because of a serious health condition
Laws Against Discrimination in Employment
A number of laws protect workers from unfair treatment in the workplace: Equal Pay Act – prohibits unequal pay for men and
women doing similar work Civil Rights Act of 1964 – prohibits discrimination in
hiring, training, and promotion on the basis of race, color, gender, religion, or national origin
Age Discrimination Act – prohibits discrimination in employment decision against people age 40 and over
Americans with Disabilities Act – prohibits discrimination on the basis of physical or mental disabilities
Decoding your Paycheck
Gross vs Net PayRequired Deductions
Income Tax (Federal, State, Local) Unemployment Social Security Medicare
Voluntary Deductions Healthcare Retirement Charitable Donations
W4
A tax form you have to fill out when you get a job
Determines # of personal allowances which affects tax withheld
Homework
Fill out a W4Minimum Wage (www.dol.gov)What is the Federal minimum wage for 2014?What about PA?What state has the highest minimum wage?UnemploymentWhat is the current unemployment rate?What was it in 2009/10?
top related