Employment Law by State
Employment laws vary significantly from state to state. From minimum wage to wrongful termination protections, understanding your state's specific rules is critical whether you're an employee or employer.
Key Takeaways
- The federal minimum wage is $7.25/hr, but 30+ states set higher rates.
- 49 states follow at-will employment — Montana is the only exception.
- Most states recognize exceptions to at-will: public policy, implied contract, and/or good faith.
- Federal law protects against discrimination based on race, sex, age, disability, and more.
Employment Law Topics
Minimum Wage by State
Current minimum wage rates, tipped employee wages, scheduled increases, and overtime rules for every state.
Wrongful Termination by State
At-will employment exceptions, protected classes, whistleblower protections, and how to file a claim.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Is my state an at-will employment state?
Almost certainly yes. Every state except Montana follows the at-will employment doctrine, meaning employers can fire employees for any reason (or no reason) as long as it's not an illegal reason. However, most states recognize significant exceptions to this rule.
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What is the federal minimum wage?
The federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour, unchanged since 2009. However, more than 30 states have set higher minimum wages. If your state has a higher minimum, you're entitled to the higher rate.
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What counts as wrongful termination?
Termination is wrongful if it violates anti-discrimination laws (firing based on race, sex, age, etc.), retaliation laws (firing for whistleblowing or filing a complaint), or your state's recognized exceptions to at-will employment.