The key to making the most of Florida labor and employment law is engaging in fair hiring practices, complying with safety standards and keeping a good work environment. Florida 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.

Florida employment 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.

Florida labor and 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 Florida 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.
   

Action Steps
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Stay current on labor laws in Florida

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: The State of Florida Agency for Workforce Innovation offers links to the specific laws in Florida regarding workers. Learn more about employment and labor laws in Florida and browse other employment and labor resources at Megalaw.com.

Study state guidelines to help you comply with Florida labor laws

Florida 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: The Florida Senate provides the specific laws regarding labor under Title 31 of the Florida statutes. The Florida Division of Workers’ Compensation provides extensive official resources on workers’ compensation in Florida.

Use Florida employment law firms

Labor lawyers in Florida 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: To learn more, browse the many articles on employment law in Florida at Donna M Ballman, P.A. Employment Law Attorney who practices in Fort Lauderdale. The Minnick Law Firm in Tallahassee hosts a variety of resources on employment law.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Employers with three or more employees must display mandatory Florida labor law posters. This is required in order to comply with both the United States Department of Labor and Florida 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.

Labor laws in Florida help employers protect their businesses through compliance with safety standards, fair hiring practices and work environment. Florida labor and employment law helps both employers and employees have better working relationships in a more productive environment.

Florida labor and employment law makes working better for everyone. Labor law, though originally intended to improve working conditions for laborers, boosts business owner’s bottom line by increased productivity.

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

1. Stay in compliance with changes to Florida labor and employment law.

2. Provide productive work environments for employees through Florida employment law.

3. Protect your business from frivolous lawsuits.

4. Keep productivity high.

Action Steps
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Display Florida employment law posters in easy to read locations around your facility

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

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

Protect yourself and your employees by keeping up-to-date on Florida labor laws

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 current on changes to laws and how those changes affect your particular company is vital to a healthy work environment.

I recommend: Visit the Employment and Labor page of the Florida Department of Labor and Industry to better understand workers' rights. Also, check out the Unemployment Compensation page of the State of Florida Agency for Workforce Innovation for easy answers to Florida labor law questions.

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

Florida employment law provides guidelines and requirements for what the state considers a safe working environment. Going above the minimum requirements to protect employees and keep them happy is a great way to increase their overall productivity.

I recommend: Visit the US Department of Labor for relevant Florida contact information and access to labor law resources. HRhero.com is both a subscription service and free email newsletter service offering the latest updates to state-by-state employment law.

Find labor lawyers who practice in FL employment law firms

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

I recommend: Spector Gadon & Rosen, P.C. of St. Petersburg and Baker & Hostetler LLP of Orlando specialize in labor and employment issues in Florida.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Discuss Florida state employment law changes with your union representative. If you are a non-union business, be sure someone in your Human Resources Department is in charge of all employment law-related issues.
• •  Post Florida labor law posters anywhere employees tend to congregate or spend time on breaks. Conference areas, break rooms, lunch rooms and near time clocks are great places for labor law posters.

It is crucial that employers abide by Florida labor law when it comes to the treatment of their employees. There are several laws in place, such as age restrictions, workers’ compensation insurance requirements, limitations on working hours and minimum wages.

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

1. Regularly visit seminars and conferences to better understand Florida employee rights.

2. Several websites provide programs, forums and advice to keep employers on track regarding employment laws in Florida.

3. Look for books and manuals to keep on hand as a reference on labor laws in Florida.

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Attend seminars or courses to learn more about Florida labor 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 Florida labor law process.

I recommend: Littler Mendelson, known for implementing labor law solutions, offers labor and employment law seminars and conferences worldwide. Attend seminars and conferences organized by local attorneys, such as Harper Gerlach.

Utilize resources on Florida labor and employment law

Several organizations and Florida 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 United States Department of Labor - Employment and Training Administration provides a Workforce Professionals page with helpful law updates, tools, resources and links. Study Florida Statute Title XXXI on Labor by visiting the Megalaw website. Cathleen Scott provides links to labor and employment law news and court decisions.

Read articles on Florida labor and employment law education and training

Again, many labor lawyers in Florida 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: Visit the website for local attorneys Fisher & Phillips for various articles, newsletters and other publications regarding Florida employment law. Sign up to receive The Florida Employment Law Letter, a monthly publication written for employers by Florida labor law attorneys and published on the HRHero website.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  While this information is helpful, employers should always consult a Florida employment law firm if they have additional questions, don't fully understand a law or are faced with a lawsuit regarding labor and employment regulations.

The implementation and enforcement of Florida labor and employment law protects employees' rights and interests by ensuring that their employers treat them fairly. The overall goal is to foster great working relationships between employees and employers.

You need to research labor and employment laws in the state of Florida in order to appropriately comply to protect yourself and your business. During your research you may run into some unfamiliar terms that this guide can help you sort out.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Agency for Workforce Innovation (AWI)

The Agency for Workforce Innovation (AWI) is responsible for administering unemployment compensation and workforce development policies and guidance.

I recommend: Visit the Agency for Workforce Innovation website to learn more about the organization.

Workforce Florida

Workforce Florida is a board appointed by the Governor to monitor the state's workforce programs and policies. The board works closely with AWI.

I recommend: Learn more about Workforce Florida on their website.

Work Comp

An employee injured on the job will likely file a claim for Workers' Compensation, also known as Work Comp, in order to receive benefits for time missed from work, medical bills, the effects of permanent and partial disability and other needs.

I recommend: Visit the Florida Department of Financial Services website for answers to frequently asked questions for employers about Work Comp.

Child labor

Child labor laws are in place in order to protect children from being overworked. In Florida, the laws determine how many hours minors can work and what sort of duties they can perform for safety reasons.

I recommend: The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation lays out an employer's requirements for regulating child labor.

Overtime

Overtime refers to any amount of time an employee works over the established working day. Employers in Florida must compensate employees with extra pay for any time worked over 10 hours in one given day.

I recommend: The Florida Senate provides regulations regarding overtime pay and other policies under Chapter 448 of the Florida Statutes.

Florida Business Leadership Network (FBLN)

The Florida Business Leadership Network (FBLN) helps to promote policies that assist employers in hiring and working with individuals with disabilities, in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. FBLN is a division of The Able Trust, the Florida governor's alliance to help citizens with disabilities obtain employment.

I recommend: Read more about the Florida Business Leadership Network.