Human resource professionals who must learn labor laws in Missouri can count on a variety of web-based resources written for legal and employment recruiting professionals in addition to the general public. While the statutes and regulations that government agencies base their policies on are a good foundation for knowing Missouri employment policy, you'll get a broader picture of the subject as well as practical advice on complying with state labor laws when you reach out to legal professionals specializing in the field.

Employment laws in Missouri, as anywhere else in the country, are subject to rapid change. Companies doing business in the state should encourage human resource staff to learn the basics of creating legally compliant employee management policies and to stay informed of changes to labor laws as part of their comprehensive Missouri labor and employment law education and training.

1. Start your research with official sources of Missouri labor laws.

2. Access online commentaries on Missouri employment law written by lawyers and other legal experts.

3. Participate in seminars to learn the latest challenges human resource professionals face in their efforts to comply with Missouri work laws.

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

Educate yourself using the statutory sources of Missouri labor and employment law

Missouri state labor laws, as drafted by the state legislature, are in statutes that form the basis for the regulations and policies that the Department of Labor pursues.

I recommend: Check out the Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations website. You'll find educational information about what constitutes a valid complaint based on child labor laws or minimum wage laws and about changes to the minimum wage. Learn about recently passed employment laws through Missouri Revised Statutes.

Read educational articles by attorneys that offer insightful information on Missouri work laws

Articles that explain Missouri employment law and incorporate what the MO lawyers are saying about that law will provide your training program with educational material in the form of commentaries written for the public and other members of the legal community.

I recommend: Read the top 10 articles on Tim's Missouri Employment Law database to find out why employers must pay overtime and how to create a harassment-free work environment in your company. Labor Law Talk Blog explains Missouri minor labor law. The Poster Compliance Center is a source for updates on the minimum wage and other changes to Missouri employment laws.

Attend seminars addressing labor laws in MO

Seminars offer a superb educational opportunity since experts on Missouri employment laws speak at these seminars where you can also build relationships with other human resource managers faced with similar challenges presented by labor laws.

I recommend: Search for events sponsored by Oagletree Deakins that brief you on the current state of Missouri employment law and suggest strategies for managing your human resources department. Check out listings for Missouri employment law on Training and Seminars and the Missouri Bar websites.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  As you advance in your Missouri labor and employment law education and training, you'll be able to draft employee handbooks as well as documents like severance agreements for your company.

Missouri Labor and Employment Law is necessary in order to protect the rights of Missouri employees. As a business owner, you must abide by and enforce every Missouri labor law. While the list of laws and requirements may seem overwhelming, many of them are common knowledge in today's business society. For starters, there are 3 crucial elements that you must be familiar with in regards to labor laws in Missouri:

1. Regulations for an employee's hours, overtime and child employment

2. Laws regarding an employee's wages

3. Employees' rights regarding dismissal from or quitting a job

In short, a work day, according to Missouri Labor and Employment Law, is 8 hours long. However, overtime is not based upon 1 day, but earned when an employee works more than 40 hours in one week. There is no law in Missouri that restricts the number of hours an employee can work.

You can't pay an employee less than the established minimum wage at the current time, and the established state minimum wage takes precedence over the federal rate. Be aware that you must provide your employees with 30 days posted notice if there is to be a reduction in their wages for any reason.

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

Make yourself aware of the Missouri labor laws in their entirety

There is little you can do to protect yourself and your business if you don't thoroughly know all of the employment laws in Missouri. Keep abreast of any changes or amendments to the Missouri labor rights by reading your local newspaper regularly.

I recommend: Section XVIII of the Missouri Revised Statutes on labor and industrial regulations lists the labor laws in their entirety, including Workers' Compensation and Child Labor Law. Additionally, review the Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Regulations' help page on labor laws, complete with frequently asked questions, to gain a better understanding Missouri work laws. Check HRhero.com's Missouri Employment Law Letter regularly for useful information on court findings and the current state of employment law.

Hang Missouri labor law posters within your business

Missouri employment law requires you, as an employer, to keep your employees informed of their rights. As part of that requirement, hang posters within your operation in a location that is easily visible to all employees. Basic employment law posters include information regarding Workers' Compensation law, the minimum wage, unemployment benefits and employment discrimination.

I recommend: Missouri Revised Statute 290.265 states that you must post, in clear view, information regarding minimum wage. Download posters at the website for the Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations.

Know the penalties for violating employment laws in Missouri

The penalty for violating any of the labor laws in Missouri is either a fine of no more than $500, up to 6 months in jail or both a fine and jail time for each violation. The prosecutor deems each day that a violation occurs as a separate offense, if he choses to do so. Staying informed of any changes will help you avoid such penalties. As stated in Missouri Revised Statute 290.335, if you do violate Missouri employment law, the state government must notify you, conduct an investigation and give you an opportunity to correct your mistake before prosecuting.

I recommend: Missouri Revised Statute 290.340 provides the specifics regarding penalties for violating Missouri State labor laws. To gain feedback and perspective on your situation, visit Labor Law Talk's forum on Missouri Labor Law and start a discussion thread with other business owners.

Hire a Missouri Labor and Employment Law Attorney

If the government informs you that you are in violation of Missouri labor law, you must protect your rights. Even if you intend on correcting you mistake, contact an attorney and get her opinion on your situation. Most attorneys will provide a consultation free of charge, with the option to hire them if your situation requires their assistance.

I recommend: The BMHM Find a Lawyer Database provides a lists of employment and labor law attorneys by towns and cities in Missouri. In the area of labor laws in MO, Reed & Nowogrocki, LLC provides legal services in the St. Louis area. Thornberry, Eischens & Brown, LLC is located in Kansas City and Les Boyle, LLC can assist you in Springfield.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When you contact an attorney who specializes in Missouri employment laws, ask for information on his experience, such as his win/lose ratio, number of past clients and years experience in the labor law field.