The Basics of Labor Law
The development of labor law followed the Industrial Revolution, which shifted the relationship between employer and worker from small studios to large industrial enterprises. Workers fought for better working conditions and the right to form a union, while employers sought a more reliable workforce. As the laws evolved, they reflected various social forces and now protect the weaker party in an employment relationship. In this article, we’ll look at some of the key pieces of labor law.
Labor law was first established in England, which faced the ramifications of the industrial revolution in an underregulated environment. By the late 18th century, reformers and political pressure were laying the foundations for modern labor law. In the United Kingdom, the legal prohibition of association was abolished in 1824. In France, a similar reform was adopted only in 1884. Despite this, changes in the law are largely in the details, with the future largely determined by political circumstances.
The NLRA protects employees, both in unions and individually. This law prevents discrimination based on race, gender, age, or national origin. In addition, it limits the hours and types of labor that can be performed by children. The National Employment Law Project (NELP) is another advocacy group for lower-wage workers. Private law firms may specialize in labor and employment law, and many are listed below. In addition, some state agencies have their own laws governing this area of law.
