Distinction between Employment Law and Labor Law

The terms employment law and labor law are often used interchangeably. Even though these two phrases have the common terminology, one needs to understand that these are two different forms of practice. Employment law covers all mandates, laws and regulations concerning the relationship between employees and employers.

Employment law firms are in place to make sure that the issues of the workplaces are handled with ease and a fair workplace atmosphere is maintained. Labor laws generally focus on laws that deal with unions, collective bargaining and other issues concerned with organized labor. Understanding the differences between labor law and employment law can help both employees and employers in understanding the details of both areas in a better manner.

Employment law

The heart of the employment law lies in the relationship between employers and employees. There are multiple laws at the state, federal and local levels that impact this relationship. Employers can violate the laws of employment when they do not understand or know what the law requires. It is vital that the services of employment attorneys are considered in workplaces to make sure that both employers and employees face no issues in the workplace and a just environment is ensured.

Minimum wage laws are one of the most evident aspects of employment law. Such regulations come from state and federal levels in multiple jurisdictions and employers are also obligated to pay for overtime. Areas like family and disability leave are also come under employment law.

The law also covers other aspects of the workplace. Employees have some obligations about keeping their workplace safe to work in and need to mitigate or remove any workplace hazards. Employment law regulations need employers to keep their workplace free from discrimination and harassment. Employment law firms like Shegerian Conniff help employees by advising them in cases where employers do not comply with the law and offer legal representation in litigious cases.

Labor law

Labor law typically regulates the relationship between businesses and unions. The federal agency called National Labor Relations Board serves as an administrative body that regulates labor relations. Issues can come up in regards to union contracts, collective bargaining, union organization disputes and labor strikes. A lot of states have the 'right to work' policy and people can be hired without being a part of a union or offering financial support to a union. The concept does not remove the union from the workplaces but makes the relationships between

unions and businesses different in states that are more union-friendly. This type of labor practice has become complex over the years. The complexity can be owed to the influence and rise of public labor unions.