The key to making the most of Colorado labor and employment law is engaging in fair hiring practices, complying with safety standards and keeping a good work environment. Colorado labor law was originally intended to simply improve working conditions for employees, but it also improves the relationship between employers and employees. The resulting increase in productivity also increases profits for owners.

Colorado labor laws include regulations on specific issues such as break and lunch periods, employee-to-foreman ratios, job safety and the work environment. Labor laws also must be regularly updated to deal with changes in technology and work requirements.

CO employment law can be grouped into the following areas:

1. Overtime laws that govern how employees are to be paid after working their normal work day. These laws are most applicable for suits involving the restoration of overtime pay.
2. Employment laws in Colorado that deal with disabled workers, especially with regard to the Americans with Disabilities Act.
3. Tax laws that affect damages earned for emotional distress on lawsuits. Recent changes in these laws mean that any settlement of this type will now be far lower.
   

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Stay current on labor laws in Colorado

These laws can change frequently and it's essential that you keep up to date in order to protect your business from frivolous lawsuits and understand your rights as an employer.

I recommend: Infonet.com regularly publishes current articles on employment law in Colorado and also provides links to related resources. Colorado Employment Law Blog provides posts on employment law in Colorado and also hosts other blogs on Colorado law.

Study state guidelines to help you comply with Colorado labor laws

Colorado has official state websites that provide extensive information on employment regulations. There are also many other sites that provide summaries of state employment and labor laws.

I recommend: Learn more about specific areas of labor and employment law at the Colorado Division of Labor. Legal Resources allows you to navigate Title 8 of the Colorado Statute, which covers labor and industry laws.

Use Colorado employment law firms

Labor lawyers in Colorado can help you understand the often complex laws regarding your employees. Many of these attorneys also provide summaries of these laws on their websites.

I recommend: Steven L. Murray is located in Denver and provides resources for both employees and employers in Colorado. To get more information about employment law, read the informative publications at Miller & Steiert in Littleton.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Employers with three or more employees must display mandatory Colorado labor law posters. This is required in order to comply with both the United States Department of Labor and Colorado Department of Labor. The most common locations for these posters are areas where employees tend to congregate during breaks such as conference rooms, lunch rooms and near time clocks.

Colorado employment laws help employers protect their businesses by requiring compliance with safety standards, fair hiring practices and work environment regulations. In short, labor law helps both employers and employees maintain better working relationships in a more productive environment.

Colorado labor and employment law makes working better for everyone. Labor law, although originally intended to improve working conditions for laborers, actually boosts business owners' bottom lines by way of increased productivity.

Colorado labor laws deal with job safety, employee-to-foreman ratios, break time, lunch time and safety standards within the work environment. Updated Colorado labor laws meet the demands of new technology and constantly changing work requirements. Understand and comply with Colorado labor law to:

1. Stay in compliance with Colorado employment laws.

2. Provide productive work environments for employees while respecting Colorado employee rights.

3. Protect your businesses from frivolous Colorado labor and employment law lawsuits.

4. Keep productivity high.

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Display Colorado employment labor law posters in prominent locations around your facility

Keeping employees informed of their rights and responsibilities under Colorado labor and employment law keeps them empowered. Colorado labor law posters provide the latest updates or changes in labor law in Colorado.

I recommend: GovDocs and LaborLawCenter.com carry up to date government recommended Colorado labor law posters for display around your facility

Protect yourself and your employees by keeping up to date on labor law in Colorado

The only way to guard your company from frivolous lawsuits and keep employees happy is to promote a safe work environment and understand your rights as an employer. Keeping up to date on changes to current laws and how the effect your particular company is vital to a healthy work environment.

I recommend: Visit the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment for a variety of resources for business owners. Check out the Rules and Regulations section of the website for the latest changes in Colorado employment law.

Increase productivity by going above and beyond required state of Colorado work laws

Employment laws in Colorado, as in any state, give guidelines and requirements for what the state considers a safe working environment. Going above the minimum requirements to keep employees happy is a great way to increase their overall productivity.

I recommend: Visit the Colorado Division of Labor website. This office provides resources for both business owners and employees. HRhero.com is a subscription service offering the latest updates to state by state employment law.

Find labor lawyers in Colorado from Colorado employment laws firms

Employment law attorneys from Colorado employment law firms help clients understand CO employment law. Labor lawyers in Colorado from Colorado employment law firms keep clients informed and in compliance with the latest changes and updates to CO employment law.

I recommend: Holme Roberts and Owen, LLP and Thomas N. Scheffel and Associates, P.C. located in Denver are experts in Colorado employment law.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Discuss employment law changes with your union representative. If you aren't a union business, be sure someone in your Human Resources department is in charge of all employment law issues.
• •  Post Colorado labor law posters where employees tend to congregate or spend time on breaks. Conference rooms, break rooms, lunch rooms and near time clocks are great places to for labor law posters.

Employers must administer Colorado labor and employment law in regard to all human resource issues in order to protect their employees and their businesses. There are several of these laws in place, such as age restrictions, workers’ compensation insurance requirements, limitations on working hours and minimum wages.

It’s important that employers understand CO employment law and stay apprised of any changes or updates, in order to protect themselves and their companies. Don’t wait until it’s too late and someone takes action against you for noncompliance. Use the following strategies to stay informed:

1. Seminars and workshops can provide very helpful Colorado labor and employment law education and training.

2. Subscribe to newsletters and read articles that provide more details on Colorado labor law.

3. Many websites provide resources to help employers apply employment laws in Colorado.

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Sit in on workshops that discuss Colorado employment laws

Local organizations and universities may offer seminars and courses to familiarize you with the basics of labor and employment law. Most charge a registration fee of some sort, but may be well worth it to have a better understanding of the Colorado labor law process.

I recommend: Ford & Harrison offers employment law seminars and events as well as other informational resources. Employers can hire the Davidovich Law Firm to conduct a seminar for management staff to completely understand employment laws and avoid litigation.

Access articles written by Colorado employment law firms

Again, many labor lawyers in Colorado will often provide access to articles, newsletters and other resource materials to keep area employers informed. Additionally, you should acquire books and other manuals to help guide you and answer common questions regarding the labor laws you must enforce within your business practices.

I recommend: Connect to the online Colorado employment law newsletter Buescher, Goldhammer, Kelman, & Dodge offers. Steven L. Murray offers articles and other resources to help employers properly apply Colorado labor laws. Sign up to receive the Colorado Employment Law Letter, a monthly publication from HRhero written for employers by Colorado labor law attorneys.

Access resources that help you interpret employment laws in Colorado

Several organizations and Colorado employment law firms provide various resources, such as forums, tools and links, to help employers know and understand the laws they must abide by each day regarding their staffs. Most of these resources will provide accurate and up-to-date information so that you're not in the dark on the latest law changes and interpretations.

I recommend: The Colorado Department of Labor and Employment offers training resources for employers. Elwyn F. Schaefer & Associates provides up-to-date news and relevant cases regarding employment law. The United States Department of Labor - Employment and Training Administration provides the Workforce Professionals page with helpful law updates, tools, resources and links.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Labor lawyers in Colorado will help make sure your business is on the right track for the interpretation and application of Colorado employee rights. When in doubt, always consult an attorney in order to fully protect your business.

Colorado labor and employment law basics allow employees to be paid what they deserve and employers to protect their businesses. The primary purpose of these laws is to level the playing field between employees and their employers.

Colorado employment laws grant specific rights to collective bargaining organizations, also know as labor unions. Federal laws also control the rights of laborers to organize and generally take precedence over Colorado's state labor laws. Specific classes of employees, such as domestic workers or agricultural laborers, are generally exempted from federal labor laws. Labor and employment law generally may be categorized into the following three groups:

1. Colorado employment laws that deal with wages and benefits. Many states provide a minimum wage that is greater than the federal minimum wage. Colorado laws also may offer other protections to workers that are greater than those specified by federal law.
2. Laws on displaying labor law posters. Colorado has specific requirements on the display of labor and employment laws in the workplace.
3. Workers compensation insurance. Colorado also has laws that specify the amount of insurance that employers must carry in the event that their employees are injured at work.
   

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Learn about CO employment law that regulates minimum wage and overtime

According to Colorado labor laws, businesses must pay their employees the state minimum wage. Overtime laws generally control what an employee should be paid after 40 hours of work in the same week.

I recommend: The Colorado Department of Labor & Employment provides a fact sheet on the minimum wage laws in Colorado. HRTools.com has basic information on the Colorado minimum wage.

Find out how to display posters on Colorado employment laws

Colorado labor law posters keep employees informed of their rights and obligations under federal and state labor laws. Employers must display these posters in the workplace in a visible location where they are easy to read.

I recommend: MyOshaStore has the specific labor law postings that Colorado labor law requires. Labor Law Compliance Center provides the state and federal posting requirements according to Colorado labor law.

Provide workers' compensation insurance required by employment laws in Colorado

Workers' compensation insurance in Colorado protects employees and their families in the event of injury or death of an employee while on the job. Government websites, insurance agencies and labor lawyers in Colorado commonly have basic information on workers compensation.

I recommend: Insurance Source.com provides a summary of the laws on workers compensation insurance in Colorado. The Rocky Mountain Insurance Information Association has an overview of the workers compensation fund that is run by the state of Colorado.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Colorado employment law firms will be familiar with the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) of 1938. This federal legislation establishes minimum wages for most workers, along with specific exceptions. The FLSA was amended in 1974 to cover government employees.