Legal Dictionary: Employment Law -- Employer

DEFINITION

• Employment law covers employers' rights and obligations within the employer-employee relationship -- between employers and their current employees, job applicants, and former employees.

• Because of the complexity of employment relationships and the wide variety of situations that can arise, employment law involves legal issues as diverse as discrimination, wrongful termination, wages and taxation, and workplace safety. Many of these issues are governed by applicable federal and state law.

• But, where the employment relationship is based on a valid contract entered into by the employer and the employee, state contract law alone may dictate the rights and duties of the parties.

FIND AN EMPLOYMENT LAW -- EMPLOYER ATTORNEY IN YOUR AREA.

Learn more about EMPLOYERS AND THE LAW (FindLaw's Small Business Center)

OTHER BUZZWORDS

• HR (Human Resources)
• Hire
• Wage

For more definitions of legal terms, visit the FindLaw Legal Dictionary.

RELATED PRACTICE AREAS

Contracts
Workers' Compensation
Discrimination