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 Utah, employment law encompasses a variety of regulations and statutes that dictate the relationship between employers and employees. State-specific laws cover matters such as minimum wage requirements, which as of my knowledge cutoff in 2023, is set at $7.25 per hour, matching the federal minimum wage. Utah also has laws regarding workplace safety, discrimination, and workers' compensation. For instance, the Utah Antidiscrimination Act prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, sex, age (over 40), religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Additionally, federal laws such as the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) apply to Utah employers and provide a baseline of protections, including minimum wage, overtime pay, workplace safety, and anti-discrimination measures. Employers in Utah must comply with both state and federal regulations, and when there is a conflict, the law that provides the most protection to the employee generally prevails.