We enforce the State Labor Laws for minimum wage, hours of work, employment of minors, payment of wages, farm labor, nursing mothers in the workplace, and more. The Fair Labor Standards Act mandates the federal minimum wage and includes requirements for overtime and how many hours employees can work.This pamphlet is intended to provide Employers and Employees with general information about their employment rights and responsibilities in New York State. This state-specific guide covers labor and employment case law, statutes, rules, and regulations that HR professionals and clients often encounter Employers and HR professionals can use this guide to better understand the labor laws covering New York businesses and to better manage compliance. The US Department of Labor enforces roughly 180 worker protection laws, ranging from pay requirements to parental leave benefits. ▫ It is illegal for an employer to fire you, cut your hours, or otherwise penalize you for taking legal action asserting your rights. State Labor Laws: Minimum Paid Rest Periods, Minimum Meal Periods, Prevailing Wages, Payday Requirements. Employment Law Legal Rights. Several state and federal employment laws protect Tennessee employees from various types of unlawful treatment at work.