The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) recently released an updated version of its Employment Law Guide, an online publication for workers and employers that describes the major employment laws administered by the department.
According to a issued by DOL on November 30, 2009, the Guide is said to be "especially helpful for employers without dedicated legal or human resources staff" and "helps small businesses develop wage, benefit, safety and health, and nondiscrimination policies."
The updated version addresses recent and important changes in employment laws, including:
- the increase in the federal minimum wage;
- expansion of the Family and Medical Leave Act;
- child labor regulations in the agriculture industry; and
- changes to the Defense Base Act, which provides workers' compensation benefits to civilian employees working outside the United States on U.S. military bases or under certain contracts with the U.S.