Employment law begins with a federal floor and is frequently raised higher by state law. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act prohibits workplace discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, and national origin — but applies only to employers with 15 or more employees. The Age Discrimination in Employment Act sets a threshold of 20. The federal Fair Labor Standards Act establishes the federal minimum wage and overtime requirements. The Family and Medical Leave Act provides 12 weeks of unpaid leave to qualifying employees at covered employers.

State law frequently goes further. California, New York, and a growing number of states extend anti-discrimination protections to employers with as few as one to four employees. State minimum wage rates in California, Washington, and New York substantially exceed the federal baseline. Many states provide paid family leave, expanded FMLA protections, and protections for categories — including political activity, cannabis use, and additional protected classes — not addressed by federal law.

Non-compete enforceability, final paycheck timing, break requirements, and predictive scheduling rules are all state-specific and vary dramatically. Workplace legal outcomes depend heavily on which state's law applies to your situation. Use the state grid below to find employment law attorneys in your jurisdiction.