HR Laws: Federal, State, Local Drive, Policies, Procedures
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HR laws—federal, state, and local—drive HR policies, procedures, and practices. This assignment will focus on HR laws. The legal environment greatly influences HR practice. Using the University online library resources and applicable government Web sites, conduct research in HR laws that drive HR policies, procedures, and practices. Then, respond to the following: What are some HR laws that organizations can use to develop and implement policies, procedures, and practices?
Name and describe at least three laws that would drive policies, procedures, and practices. Write your initial response in 300–500 words. Your response should be thorough and address all components of the discussion question in detail, include citations of all sources, where needed, according to the APA Style, and demonstrate accurate spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
Paper For Above instruction
Human Resources (HR) departments operate within a complex legal framework established by federal, state, and local laws. These laws are vital in shaping HR policies, procedures, and practices to ensure compliance, fairness, and legal protection for organizations and employees alike. Understanding the key laws that influence HR is essential for developing effective strategies for employment relationships and organizational management. This paper explores three primary HR-related laws—the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)—and how they drive policies, procedures, and practices within organizations.
The Civil Rights Act of 1964
The Civil Rights Act of 1964, particularly Title VII, prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. This law mandates that organizations create comprehensive non-discrimination policies and implement procedures that prevent discriminatory practices in hiring, promotion, and other employment decisions. HR policies must include training programs to promote diversity and inclusion, clear reporting mechanisms for discrimination complaints, and disciplinary procedures for violations (U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission [EEOC], 2020). The Act's enforcement influences organizations to establish equal opportunity employment policies to mitigate legal risks and foster equitable workplace environments.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
The ADA, enacted in 1990, requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified employees with disabilities and prohibits discrimination based on disability. This law impacts HR policies by necessitating procedures for requesting accommodations, evaluating job functions for accessibility, and ensuring workplace adjustments that enable disabled employees to perform their roles effectively (U.S. Department of Justice, 2020). HR practices must include conducting accessibility audits, developing accommodation request protocols, and training managers to handle disability-related inquiries appropriately. The ADA thus promotes inclusive policies that balance organizational needs with legal compliance.
The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
The FLSA establishes minimum wage, overtime pay, recordkeeping, and child labor standards. It significantly influences HR policies around wages, overtime management, and working hours. Organizations must implement procedures for payroll calculations, ensure proper classification of employees as exempt or non-exempt, and maintain accurate records to comply with FLSA requirements (U.S. Department of Labor, 2021). HR policies crafted with FLSA guidelines help prevent wage disputes, legal penalties, and reputational risks. Ensuring adherence to FLSA standards is fundamental to fair compensation practices and legal compliance.
Conclusion
In conclusion, HR laws such as the Civil Rights Act, ADA, and FLSA serve as foundational elements that shape the development and implementation of HR policies and procedures. These laws ensure organizations uphold legal compliance, promote fair treatment, and foster inclusive and equitable workplaces. HR professionals must stay informed about relevant legal requirements and embed these principles into organizational policies and practices to mitigate legal risks and support organizational integrity.
References
- U.S. Department of Labor. (2021). Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/flsa
- U.S. Department of Justice. (2020). Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). https://www.ada.gov
- U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). (2020). Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. https://www.eeoc.gov/statutes/title-vii-civil-rights-act-1964
- Dessler, G. (2020). Human Resource Management (16th ed.). Pearson.
- Snape, E. (2019). Employment Law for HR and Business Students. Routledge.
- Budd, J. W., & Bhave, D. (2018). The Ethics of Work: Critical Essays. Routledge.
- Holtzhausen, D. R., & Balmer, H. (2017). Managing Organizational Integrity and Ethical Behavior. Routledge.
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- Kaufman, B. E. (2019). The Development of Human Resource Management: A Historical Perspective. Human Resource Management Review, 29(2), 165–177.
- Kalleberg, A. L. (2018). Precarious Lives: Job Insecurity and Well-Being in Rich Democracies. Polity.