Economic and workplace rights are the protections people have as workers and as members of the economic safety net. They cover how much work is paid, when time off is protected, what happens after a job ends, and what help is available in hard times. Congress, federal and state agencies, courts, and unions all shape them.
An independent team explaining how government works
This isn't some bureaucratic oversight or emergency improvisation. It's exactly what federal law allows. The legal framework permitting the government to require unpaid labor from TSA…
Unemployment Insurance is a key part of America's social safety net. This federal-state partnership provides temporary, partial wage replacement to workers who lose their jobs through…
Unemployment Insurance provides temporary income replacement to eligible workers who lose their jobs through no fault of their own. The system operates through a partnership between…
Losing a job creates both financial and emotional challenges. The Unemployment Insurance (UI) program provides a critical safety net during this difficult time. These benefits are…
Basic pay rules are covered in Minimum Wage and Overtime, and protected leave for family and health needs is covered in Family and Medical Leave.
Payments after a job ends are covered in Unemployment Benefits, and retirement and disability income are covered in Social Security and Safety Net Programs.
The U.S. Department of Labor protects the welfare of America's workforce by administering and enforcing more than 180 federal laws covering approximately 10 million…
The Social Security Administration serves nearly 69 million Americans monthly, providing retirement, disability, and survivor benefits funded by payroll taxes from approximately 176 million…
Learn who qualifies for FMLA leave, which needs are covered, how to request it, what happens to pay and benefits, and where state laws add help.
In the United States, the principle of fair pay is a cornerstone of federal and state law. Every worker has a right to be…
The United States has a complex web of federal, state, and local laws that govern job-protected leave, workplace accommodations, healthcare access, financial assistance, and…
The minimum wage sits at the center of America's biggest economic fight. It's a simple concept with complex consequences: the government sets a floor…
Standing in a mortgage lender's office, you're asked for "proof of Social Security income." You log into your my Social Security account and see…
The world of independent contracting offers flexibility and opportunity, but it also comes with a unique set of legal considerations. For small business contractors,…
The Davis-Bacon Act (DBA) is a cornerstone piece of federal legislation impacting construction projects funded by the U.S. government. Enacted during the Great Depression,…
The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) is a federal law designed to help employees balance work and family responsibilities. It provides eligible employees…
