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Federal Employment Law Information

Employee Polygraph Protection

The Employee Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA) prohibits most private employers from using lie detector tests, either for pre-employment screening or during the course of employment. 
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Employee Rights on Government Contracts

The Contract Work Hours and Safety Standards Act (CWHSSA) applies to certain contracts with the federal government or the District of Columbia that require or involve the employment of laborers or mechanics, including watchmen and guards. Contracts covered by CWHSSA include certain federal service contracts and federally funded and assisted construction contracts.
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Equal Employment Opportunity

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) enforces Federal laws that protect you from discrimination in employment. If you believe you’ve been discriminated against at work or in applying for a job, the EEOC may be able to help. 
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Equal Employment Opportunity Supplement for Employers Holding Federal Contracts or Subcontracts Section Revisions

Executive Order 11246, as amended, prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion,  sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin, and requires affirmative action to ensure equality of opportunity in all aspects of employment.
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E-Verify Participation Poster

American University particpates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.
English and Spanish

Family and Medical Leave Act

The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) is a federal law that provides eligible employees with job-protected leave for qualifying family and medical reasons.
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Federal Miniumum Wage

Every employer of employees subject to the Fair Labor Standards Act's minimum wage provisions must post, and keep posted, a notice explaining the Act in a conspicuous place in all of their establishments so as to permit employees to readily read it. The content of the notice is prescribed by the Wage and Hour Division of the Department of Labor. 
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IER Right to Work

A part of U.S. immigration laws protects legally-authorized workers from discrimination based on their citizenship status and national origin.
English and Spanish

Job Safety and Health

The Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Act was enacted to "assure safe and healthful working conditions for working men and women" by setting and enforcing standards and providing training, outreach, education and compliance assistance. 
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National Labor Relations Act Employee Rights

In 1935, Congress passed the National Labor Relations Act (“NLRA”), making clear that it is the policy of the United States to encourage collective bargaining by protecting workers’ full freedom of association. The NLRA protects workplace democracy by providing employees at private-sector workplaces the fundamental right to seek better working conditions and designation of representation without fear of retaliation.
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Pay Transparency

Contractor will not discharge or discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant.
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The Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act

USERRA protects the job rights of individuals who voluntarily or involuntarily leave employment positions to undertake military service or certain types of service in the National Disaster Medical System.  USERRA also prohibits employers from discriminating against past and present members of the uniformed services, and applicants to the uniformed services.
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District of Columbia Employment Law Information

Accrued Sick and Safe Leave

Requires employers int he District of Columbia to provide paid leave to employees for their own or family members' illnesses or medical appointments and for absences associated with domestic violence or sexual abuse. 
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Building Services Act
Under this Act, covered employees shall be scheduled to work the minimum work week of at least 30 hours.
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Child Labor
Minors aged 16 or 17 are allowed to work no more than six consecutive days a week, no more than 48 hours a week, and no more than eight hours any day. They may not work before 6:00 a.m. or after 10:00 p.m.
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COVID-19 Leave

Starting November 5, 2021, an employee who has worked for 30 days for an employer with 20 or more employees in the District may use up to 16 weeks of New COVID-19 Leave.
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Equal Employment Opportunity
In accordance with the District of Columbia Human Rights Act of 1977, as amended, the District of Columbia and employers cannot discriminate on the basis of any individual on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, political affiliation, or belief.
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Family and Medical Leave
The District of Columbia Family and Medical Leave Act (DCFMLA) requires employers with 20 or more employees to provide eligible employees with 16 weeks of family leave and 16 weeks of medical leave during a 24-month period.
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Living Wage
Effective July 1, 2024, the District’s Minimum Wage and Living Wage will increase to $17.50. 
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Paid Family Leave Act

DC Paid Family Leave provides covered employees paid time off from work for qualifying parental, family, medical, and prenatal events.
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Parental Leave Act
The District of Columbia Parental Leave Act allows employees who are parents or guardians to take 24 hours of leave (paid or unpaid) during a 12 month period to attend school-related activities. 
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Protecting Pregnant Workers Fairness Act

The Protecting Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PPW) provides reasonable workplace accommodations for employees whose ability to perform job duties is limited because of pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or a related medical condition.
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Pregnancy and Parental Rights in the Workplace
The District of Columbia provides breast feeding rights. 
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Unemployment Insurance
Information on Unemployment Compensation in the District of Columbia. 
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DC Workers Compensation
Information about Workers' Compenation in the District of Columbia.
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Maryland Employment Law Information

Earned Sick and Safe Leave

The Maryland Healthy Working Families Act requires employers with 15 or more employees to provide paid sick and safe leave for certain employees.

Employment Discrimination is Unlawful

In Maryland, it is unlawful to refuse to hire, discharge, or otherwise discriminate someone due to: Race Color Religion Sex Age National origin Marital status Gender Identity Genetic information, or refusal to submit to a genetic test Sexual orientation Disability unrelated in nature and extent to the performance of the employment.

Employment of Minors
A minor under the age of 14 is not permitted to work and may not be employed. Minors 14 through 17 years of age may only work with a work permit. The work permit must be in the employer’s possession before the minor is permitted to work. Employers must keep the work permit on file for three years. 
Equal Pay for Equal Work

Prohibits an employer from discriminating between employees by paying a wage to employees of one sex or gender identity at a rate less than the rate paid to other employees under certain circumstances; or providing less favorable employment opportunities as defined by the law, based on sex and gender identity.

Health and Safety Act
The Maryland Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1973 provides job safety and health protection for workers through the promotion of safe and healthful working conditions throughout the State. 
Health Insurance
Maryland residents have several options for obtaining health insurance, including employer-sponsored plans, individual plans, COBRA, Medicare and Medicaid.  Each type of insurance is subject to different laws and regulations at the state and federal level. 
Minimum Wage and Overtime
Most employees must be paid the Maryland State Minimum Wage Rate. 
Pregnant & Working

If you are pregnant, you have a legal right to a reasonable accommodation if your pregnancy causes or contributes to a disability and the accommodation does not impose an undue hardship on your employer.

Unemployment Insurance
Information on Unemployment Insurance in Maryland.
Whistleblower Law

When you speak up about something your employer is doing that you believe is wrong, and you then suffer retaliation, or are fired, because of your disclosure, there are several state laws that may provide protection. 

Workers' Compensation
If you are injured and unable to work for 3 or more days, your employer's worker's compensation insurance company may pay your medical bills and other expenses and replace 2/3s of your salary (limited to the maximum set by law). 

Virginia Employment Law Information

Unemployment Compensation Act (UC)

Advises an employee when they are eligible for unemployment insurance benefits and how to apply for those benefits.

Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS)
Virginia has an income tax credit for low-income, working individuals and families. See if you qualify.
Virginia Occupational Safety and Health Act (VOSH)
The “Job Safety and Health Protection” advises an employee of their rights and responsibilities under the OSHA law.
Virginia Workers’ Compensation (VWC)
The “Workers' Compensation Notice”(VWC 1) advises employees and employers of their rights and responsibilities under the Workers' Compensation Law in case of injury or occupational disease. 

Pennsylvania Employment Laws Information

Child Labor Act

Minors under 16 must have a written statement by the minor’s parent or guardian acknowledging the duties and hours of employment and granting permission to work. Work is prohibited after 7 p.m. and before 7 a.m.

Equal Pay
Prohibits discrimination by any employer in any place of employment between employees on the basis of sex, by paying wages to any employee at a rate less than the rate paid to employees of the opposite sex for work under equal conditions on jobs which require equal skills. 
Education Equity

You have the right to an education free from illegal discrimination. 

Fair Employment

It is unlawful for an employer to dicriminate because of race, color, religion, ancestry, age (40 and above), sex, national origin, non-job related disability, known association with a disabled individual, possession of a diploma based on passing a general education development test, or willingness or refusal to participate in abortion or sterilization. 

LGBTQ+ Protections

Under the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act (PHRA), protections are available in employment, housing, public accomodations and educational institutions. 

Minimum Wage
The Pennsylvania Minimum Wage Act establishes a fixed Minimum Wage and Overtime Rate for employees. 
Pennsylvania Worker and Community Right to Know Act
The Pennsylvania Worker and Community Right to Know Act requires that information about hazardous substances in the workplace and in the environment is available to public sector employees and employees of private sector workplaces not covered by the Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Hazard Communication Standard and to all persons living or working in the state.
Pregnancy Rights

Employment discrimination on the basis of sex violates the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act.  This includes discrimination based on pregnancy, childbirth and child rearing.

Protections Against Discrimination

The Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission exists to ensure all Pennsylvanians have the right to live, work and learn free from discrimination.

Unemployment Compensation

Information on Unemployment Compensation in Pennsylvania.

Workers' Compensation
Information on Workers' Compensation in Pennsylvania. 

Texas Employment Law Information

Assistance Available in the Workers' Compensation System from the Office of Injured Employee Counsel

As an injured employee in Texas, you have the right to free assistance from the Office of Injured Employee Counsel (OIEC). OIEC is the state agency that assists unrepresented injured employees with their claim in the workers’ compensation system.  

Equal Employment Opportunity
The law prohibits employers, employment agencies, and labor unions from denying equal employment opportunities.
Payday
Texas employers must pay their employees who are exempt from the overtime pay provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 at least once per month.  All other employees must be paid at least as often as semi-monthly and each pay period must consist as nearly as possible of an equal number of days. 
Unemployment
Your employer reports your wages to the Texas Workforce Commission. If you become unemployed or your work hours are reduced, you may be eligible for unemployment benefit payments.
Wages Owed
You may be eligible to file a wage claim under the Texas payday law.
Workers' Compensation in Texas (Certified Self-Insured Employer)
Workers' compensation for self-insured employer. 
Workers' Compensation in Texas (Covered Employer)
Workers' compensation for covered employer.