What does the Labor Department do?
The Department of Labor oversees many important laws that impact our everyday lives. Visit the Department's website to learn more.
How can I get information about federal laws involving overtime, work hours, and other employment issues?
The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) establishes minimum wage, overtime pay, recordkeeping, and child labor standards affecting full-time and part-time workers in the private sector and in Federal, State, and local governments. To learn more, please use the Department of Labor’s handy reference guide to the Fair Labor Standard Act (FLSA).
How do I take advantage of the Family and Medical Leave Act?
There are many misconceptions about the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993. For example, in most cases you need to talk to your employer about it before you take time off. Also, the law affects all public employers, but only private employers who have 50 or more employees. For the most comprehensive information on the FMLA, please read this Department of Labor fact sheet.
How can I apply for unemployment benefits in California?
Unemployment insurance is a nationwide program created to provide partial wage replacement to unemployed workers while they conduct an active search for new work. Although unemployment insurance is a federal-state program and based on federal law, it is executed through state law. To apply for insurance, you must go through the California state government. For more information on federal unemployment benefits and to apply for unemployment insurance in California, please visit California's Employment Development Department
Where can I find out California's minimum wage?
California’s basic minimum rate per hour is currently $8.00. To learn more about California’s minimum wage laws, please visit the Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division website.
What is the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB)?
The NLRB is an independent Federal agency created in 1935 to enforce the National Labor Relations Act. They conduct secret-ballot elections to determine whether employees want union representation and investigate and remedy unfair labor practices by employers and unions. To find out more about your rights under the Act (as well as other labor laws) and how to file a charge or election petition, please visit the NLRB website.
If you have a job-related question or problem that appears to be within the NLRB's jurisdiction, please contact your local NLRB office:
National Labor Relations Board
Region 20
Regional Director: Joe Frankl
901 Market Street, Suite 400
San Francisco, CA 94103
Hours: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm (PST)
Phone: (415) 356-5130
Fax: (415) 356-5156
