Employment law is a broad category of laws—statutes, case law (court opinions), rules, and regulations—that govern the relationship between an employer and an employee. Employment law includes state laws that only apply to employer-employee relationships in a given state, and federal laws that apply to employer-employee relationships in all states.

In New Mexico (NM), employment law encompasses a variety of state statutes and regulations that govern the employer-employee relationship, in addition to federal laws that apply nationwide. State-specific laws cover areas such as minimum wage requirements, which as of 2023 is $12.00 per hour for non-tipped employees, and the New Mexico Human Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination in employment on the basis of race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, physical or mental handicap, serious medical condition, or spousal affiliation. New Mexico also has regulations on issues like workers' compensation, unemployment insurance, and workplace safety. These state laws operate alongside federal employment laws such as the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), which sets standards for wages and overtime; the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA), which ensures safe working conditions; the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which prohibits employment discrimination based on disability; and the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), which entitles eligible employees to take unpaid, job-protected leave for family and medical reasons. Employers in New Mexico must comply with both sets of laws, and when there is a conflict, the law that provides the most protection to the employee generally prevails.