❓ Your Rights as an Employee in the United States

As a worker in the United States — regardless of your immigration status — you have legal rights that employers must respect.

Minimum Wage

The federal minimum wage is $7.25/hour, but most states have higher minimums. California is $16/hour, New York is $16/hour. Your employer must pay whichever is higher.

Overtime Pay

If you work more than 40 hours per week, your employer must pay 1.5x your regular rate for every hour over 40 (for non-exempt employees). This is federal law under the FLSA.

Right to a Safe Workplace

OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) requires employers to provide a safe work environment. You can file a complaint at osha.gov if conditions are dangerous.

Protection from Discrimination

It is illegal to discriminate based on race, national origin, religion, sex, age (40+), or disability. This applies to hiring, firing, pay, and promotions. File complaints with the EEOC (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission).

Right to Be Paid for All Hours Worked

Employers cannot make you work "off the clock." If they do, you can file a wage claim with your state's labor board.

What to Do If Your Rights Are Violated

• Document everything: dates, times, names, what happened
• File with your state's Department of Labor
• File with the EEOC for discrimination
• Consult an employment attorney (many work on contingency — no fee unless you win)

Important: Undocumented immigrants also have most of these rights. Employers who threaten to report immigration status to avoid paying wages are committing a federal crime.