What are the laws governing the federal government and its workforce?

The federal government and its workforce are governed by a variety of laws. The United States Constitution serves as the foundation for the nation’s laws, and the Office of Personnel Management’s (OPM) website provides the information necessary to understand the laws that impact federal employment. The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) of 1938 sets standards for wages, hours, and overtime pay, as well as providing protection against unlawful discrimination in pay. The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) of 1993 grants employees up to twelve weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave for family and medical issues. The Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) of 1970 helps protect workers from workplace hazards and ensures a safe and healthy working environment. The Civil Service Reform Act of 1978 governs federal employment and sets up the basis for merit-based systems of hiring, promotion, and pay. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 protects against unlawful discrimination in terms of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, and age. The Employee Polygraph Protection Act of 1988 prohibits the use of lie detectors in the workplace, and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 bans discrimination against individuals 40 or older. In addition to the federal laws, North Carolina has its own labor laws that apply. These laws, which are enforced by the North Carolina Department of Labor, cover topics such as minimum wage, hours, overtime, leave, and unemployment insurance, among other things.

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