Federal Labor Law Research

Resources for researching U.S. Federal labor laws are listed below. Research resources for court cases, legal opinions and other related matters are included.

About Federal Labor Laws

Federal labor laws typically deal with employer-union relationships while Federal employment laws typically deal with employer-employee relationships. However, the terms are commonly used interchangeably.

Both Federal employment and labor laws are included in the links below. They are established by acts of congress and enforced by regulations. Laws are also called statutes.

States are permitted to enact and enforce their own labor laws that include or expand the minimum protections afforded by the Federal laws. To research state labor laws on the Web, start in State Labor Laws.

Federal Labor Law Research Resources

American Civil Liberties Union
The ACLU is a nonprofit organization that defends civil rights, including those Americans are entitled to in the workplace. On their site you may research the latest news, issues, legislation and court cases. Labor-law related topics include workplace rights, drug testing, and racial and gender equality.

Attorney Referral and Labor Law Facts
LegalMatch is a free online attorney referral service, with which EmployeeIssues.com is affiliated. It offers a Legal Center with a free Law Library that has facts about a variety of legal topics, including employment and labor laws. Topics include wrongful termination, discrimination, slander and libel (defamation) in the workplace, workplace drug testing, sexual harassment, employment contracts, unions, wages and benefits. If you would like prescreened, qualified attorneys to review your "case" and respond, you may post it confidentially, for free, and with no obligation on your part.

Code of Federal Regulations for Labor Laws
The Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) is a compilation of regulations that enforce Federal laws in the U.S. Code (USC). Title 29 of the CFR enforces the Federal labor laws in Title 29 of the USC. Maintained by the Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School. See also United States Code for Labor Laws listed below.

Constitution of the United States
Although the U.S. Constitution does not include employment and labor laws per se, employers may not deprive employees of their constitutional rights. Research the U.S. Constitution and amendments, courtesy of the National Archives Experience. Research also the Bill of Rights (Constitutional Amendments 1-10) and Declaration of Independence from the same source.

Court Web Sites
The National Center for State Courts provides links to local, municipal, state, Federal and international court Web sites, for researching labor laws and related court cases and judicial decisions.

Department of Labor
The DOL enforces over 180 employment and labor laws. It also provides the resources to research employment and labor laws, such as those for overtime, child labor, minimum wage, and family and medical leave. For example, its online Elaws Advisors help employers and employees research their responsibilities and rights under specific employment and labor laws.

Discrimination Laws
Links to specific, Federal Discrimination laws listed here at EmployeeIssues.com. See State Labor Laws to research state discrimination laws.

Drug Testing in the Workplace - DOT Guidelines
Guidelines for drug testing in the workplace by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). Some Federal and private-sector employers follow DOT's guidelines, while others follow the "model" guidelines by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). See also the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 in Federal Labor Laws.

Drug Testing in the Workplace - SAMHSA Model Guidelines
Model, mandatory guidelines for drug testing in the workplace, published by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Some Federal and private-sector employers must follow this model, while others must follow the Department of Transportation's (DOT) guidelines. See also the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 in Federal Labor Laws.

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
The U.S. EEOC is the place to research Federal employment discrimination laws, also called equal employment opportunity or EEO laws. (Some states call them fair employment practices or FEP laws.) The EEOC or its nearest state or regional field office is also the place to file a discrimination charge against an employer or its representatives. Includes links to state equivalents for researching FEP laws and filing discrimination complaints under the laws.

Federal Register
This is the official, central "file cabinet" for the Federal government. It includes Rules, Proposed Rules and Notices published by Federal agencies, Executive Orders and other presidential documents, the Code of Federal Regulations (including Title 29, Labor), and Public Laws enacted by Congress. See also Code of Federal Regulations for Labor Laws and United States Code for Labor Laws above and below.

Guide to Disability Rights Laws
The Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice explains Federal discrimination laws.

Job Tracker
Discover which companies in your area are accused of exporting jobs or endangering workers' health, or are involved in court cases for accusations of violating workers' rights under the National Labor Relations Act. Job Tracker was launched by Working America, an affiliate of the AFL-CIO, to encourage the protection of unionization.

National Labor Relations Board
The NLRB protects your union rights under the National Labor Relations Act of 1935, and investigates unfair labor practices of employers and unions. Its site includes resources for researching the Act, unfair labor practices and related matters.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Research the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 and related matters at the site of OSHA, a division of the Department of Labor that protects workers by enforcing the Act.

Regulations.gov
Research current and proposed Federal regulations that are open for comment by the general public, including employment-related regulations. Submit comments if you wish.

Small Business Labor Law Compliance Assistance
Help complying with labor laws and regulations for small businesses, from the U.S. Department of Labor. Covers benefit plans, health and safety, minimum wage, hours, child labor and workplace standards.

Small Business Employment and Labor Laws
Link to Federal, state and local labor law compliance assistance, rules and regulations for starting up and running a small business. A free, collaborative service managed by the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Social Security Administration
Research your rights to Social Security retirement income, supplemental security income, and disability and health-insurance benefits.

THOMAS Legislative Database
Named in honor of President Thomas Jefferson, this searchable database maintained by the U.S. Library of Congress (LOC) stores information about congressional bills. The LOC site also provides links to several legislative, judicial, executive, and state and local government resources for researching employment and labor laws.

United States Code (USC) - Federal Labor Laws
The U.S. Code (USC) is a compilation of Federal laws, enforced by the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). Title 29 of the USC is a compilation of Federal labor laws, enforced by Title 29 of the CFR. (See also Title 45 of the USC for railroad labor laws.) This is an online version of the USC maintained by the Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School. For off-line research, download the plain-text version courtesy of the U.S. House of Representatives. See also Code of Federal Regulations for Labor Laws listed above.

United States House of Representatives
Among other things, discover what legislation is currently on the House floor, find a bill, amendment or debate and access the laws of the United States, including employment and labor laws.

United States Senate
Conduct Senate research similar to that indicated above for the House of Representatives.

U.S. Supreme Court
The official Web site of our nation's highest court. When local, state or Federal court decisions are unsatisfactory to plaintiffs or defendants, they might be entitled to ultimately appeal their cases to the U.S. Supreme Court. Supreme Court opinions clarify laws or regulations, override previous interpretations of same, or create new common laws or public policies. Here, you may search or browse the text of present and past opinions. Includes many employment and labor cases.

Workers' Rights
The AFL-CIO (a federation of American unions) provides information to help employees handle and resolve issues related to labor laws, such as discrimination, overtime pay, sexual harassment, family and medical leave, and injury on the job.

Workplace Fairness
A non-profit organization that offers employee rights information, primarily under Federal employment and labor laws. Also provides employee rights news and other resources. Major topics include hiring, termination, discrimination, pay & hours, unemployment insurance, injuries & illness, health & safety, work leave, and privacy.