Labor and employment laws are the body of federal, state, and
local laws that regulate workplace behavior and govern the
relationship between employers, employees, and unions. These
laws can address everything from discrimination and workplace
safety to overtime pay and unemployment. The need for labor laws
came about in the early 1900's when groups of employees went on
strike for better working conditions. Since then, employees have
acquired more legal rights as federal and state governments have
enacted laws that give them the power and authority to unionize,
to engage in collective bargaining, and to be protected from
discrimination based on race, gender, or disability. Modern
labor laws now address both the rights of employees and
employers in the workplace. Some of the most important modern
labor and employment laws in effect today include The Family and
Medical Leave Act of 1993 which establishes the right of
employees to take unpaid leave for family reasons, The Fair
Labor Standards Act which sets mini