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 Texas, employment law encompasses a variety of regulations and statutes that dictate the relationship between employers and employees. Texas follows the 'at-will' employment doctrine, meaning that in the absence of a specific contract, either the employer or employee can terminate the employment relationship at any time for any legal reason. State-specific laws cover areas such as minimum wage, which adheres to the federal minimum wage rate, overtime, and workplace safety. Texas does not have a state law for overtime, thus federal standards apply. The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) enforces state labor laws and handles claims such as wage disputes. 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) provide a baseline of protections for workers and are applicable in Texas as well as across all states. These laws cover minimum wage, hours worked, non-discrimination, and family leave, among other aspects of employment.
