In addition to learning the nuts and bolts of recruiting, hiring and promotion, HR staff in Nebraska must have a sound working knowledge of Nebraska employee rights. They must also know how Nebraska labor laws require employers to provide a safe working environment and how to comply with state laws regarding workers compensation and child labor.

Government run websites are the most logical place to begin when studying NE employment laws. Your staff must learn to search through the legislature's revised statutes in order to find the full text versions of the labor codes. They must then further their study by reading insightful commentaries that Nebraska's labor attorneys write in response to recent developments impacting employers in the state. Online sources for Nebraska labor and employment law education and training include the following:

1. Consult official sources for Nebraska employment laws.

2. See how labor lawyers in Nebraska are defining the issues when you read articles posted on their blogs and websites.

3. Register your staff to attend seminars where professionals discuss Nebraska labor law.

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

Know how to find Nebraska labor law in official documents

Start your HR training with an overview of the government agencies that regulate employment law. Then show staff how to find the labor statutes on their own so that they may conduct original research in the future.

I recommend: The Nebraska Workforce Development website explains the state's Workplace Safety Consultation Program, a law enacted in 1994 that all private and public employers must follow. Read succinct summaries of Nebraska's laws on equal opportunity, OSHA and the minimum wage on Labor Law Talk. Search Nebraska's Revised Statutes online at the Nebraska Legislature website.

Encourage staff to read commentaries by professionals and Nebraska labor law attorneys

Once your staff has learned where and how to find the NE employment law statutes, they can move on to accessing the secondary sources. Articles written by practicing attorneys and blog commentaries from employment professionals can shed new light and add to their comprehension of this expansive topic.

I recommend: Check Lawyers.com to read about Nebraska labor law that prohibits discrimination in the promotion process. Articles on the Simmons Olsen Law Firm site provide background information on FMLA Regulations and workers' compensation laws. The Nebraska Injury Law Report publishes commentaries on unfair labor practices. Law Info explains the process followed in labor and employment hearings.

Attend seminars that focus on Nebraska labor laws

Employees participating in your Nebraska labor and employment law education and training program will benefit greatly from attending seminars and events. As they interact with professionals in the field, they will broaden their understanding of employment law by listening as speakers from Nebraska employment law firms present specific topics from well-defined angles.

I recommend: Check Training and Seminars and Fennemore Craig for upcoming events in Nebraska. Baird Holm attorney provides a webinar on dealing with the new FMLA Regulations.

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

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

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

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

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

3. Protect your businesses from frivolous lawsuits.

4. Keep productivity high.

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

Display Nebraska employment law posters in easy to read locations around your facility

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

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

Protect yourself and your employees by keeping up to date on Nebraska 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 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 Safety/Labor Standards page of the Nebraska Workforce Development website to understand worker's rights and employer's responsibilities. Also check out the News/Announcements page for updates to Nebraska labor law.

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

Nebraska employment law, as in any state, gives 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 US Department of Labor for Nebraska labor contact information and access to labor law resources. HRhero.com is a subscription service offering the latest updates to state by state employment law.

Find Nebraska labor law attorneys from a Nebraska employment laws firm

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

I recommend: Bernes and Tate, P.C.,L.L.O. of Omaha and Harding and Schultz, P.C.,L.L.O. of Lincoln both specialize in labor and employment issues in Nebraska.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Discuss Nebraska 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 Nebraska state labor law posters anywhere employees tend to congregate or spend time on breaks. Conference rooms, break rooms, lunch rooms and near time clocks are all great places to for labor law posters.

An examination of Nebraska labor and employment law basics should include finding ways of protecting your business and employees. The primary goal of labor and employment laws is to equalize the power between employers and employees, who are frequently represented by labor unions.

Nebraska labor laws may include both state and federal statutes. Federal laws regulate workers' rights to organize and override most state labor and employment laws. However, federal laws generally do not apply to agricultural workers, domestic employees and employees of local or state governments. There are three general areas of labor and employment law regulated by states:

1. Regulations on wages and benefits. Many states have laws giving a minimum wage that is higher than the federal standard and also provide laws that protect workers excluded by the Fair Labor and Standards Act (FLSA).
2. Display requirements for labor law posters. Nebraska employers must prominently display posters in the workplace with specific information on federal and Nebraska labor laws.
3. Workers compensation insurance. Nebraska has minimum coverage requirements for employees who experience work-related injuries. Employers frequently consult with Nebraska employment law firms to ensure their worker's compensation insurance coverage is adequate.
   

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

Learn about NE employment law that regulates minimum wage and overtime

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

I recommend: Nebraska Workforce Development has a FAQ for a number of employment law issues in Nebraska, including minimum wage regulations. Gaebler.com provides the current minimum wage in Nebraska, as well as other basic information on wages.

Find out how to display posters on employment laws in Nebraska

Nebraska 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: Labor Law Talk has the latest updates on the Nebraska requirements for labor law posters. LaborLawCenter provides the display requirements for labor law posters and has other quick facts on Nebraska employment law.

Provide workers' compensation insurance required by Nebraska labor laws

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

I recommend: Nebraska Workers' Compensation Court provides basic information on the requirements for workers' compensation insurance in Nebraska. Grabenstein Insurance Agency summarizes the types of employees that are entitled to workers' compensation insurance in Nebraska.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Nebraska labor laws generally have the presumption that workers not covered by an employment agreement are 'at will' employees who may be fired without notice or cause. However, these employees may be protected under laws that cover specific activities, such as organizing unions or whistle blowing.

Attorneys must stay current on Nebraska labor and employment law news and trends. This area of law can be affected by legislation and court rulings involving Nebraska labor and employment law. Nebraska has a variety of procedures and forms for dealing with matters of labor and employment law. Attorneys who practice labor and employment law also may wish to remain informed on what the general public thinks about changes in Nebraska labor and employment law.

Information on news and trends for labor laws in Nebraska may be grouped according to source, such as the following three categories:

1. Independent news sources on Nebraska labor laws. These sources include blogs, magazines and newspapers, and generally do not rely on any particular lobby group or business. They may contain hard news, as well as varied opinions, on labor and employment law.
   
2. State websites. These sites are the best source of official news and trends on Nebraska labor law, such as current procedures or rulings.
   
3. Labor and employment law attorneys. Legal professionals may be able to provide inside news and other information on labor and employment law that is not readily available elsewhere.
   

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

Study independent sources of news and trends on Nebraska employment law

News organizations frequently report on legislative updates on Nebraska labor and employment law. Individuals also may keep blogs and journals on labor law in Nebraska.

I recommend: KCRG has a recent article on violations of child labor laws in Nebraska. JournalStar.com reports on a proposed labor law in Nebraska called the Employee Free Choice Act.

Review state websites to get official news and information on Nebraska labor and employment law

Nebraska government websites are the best places to get the latest news about Nebraska labor and employment law. A Nebraska website also may publish the state statutes to help attorneys stay informed on the latest legislation that relates to Nebraska labor and employment law.

I recommend: Nebraska Workforce Development posts regular news releases on employment and labor laws in Nebraska. The Nebraska Department of Economic Development provides extensive official information on trends in employment laws for Nebraska.

Get inside news on labor law from labor lawyers in Nebraska

Nebraska employment law firms frequently have information on Nebraska law that is not available elsewhere. These attorneys may publish newsletters or full length articles on a particular aspect of labor and employment law in Nebraska.

I recommend: Baird Holm in Omaha provides regular updates on employment law issues in Nebraska. Keating O'Gara Nedved & Peter has summaries of employment law cases in Nebraska, such as a wrongful termination suit.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Nebraska employment laws also include protection for older workers, and the trend in these laws over time has been to protect older workers. The Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) of 1967 prohibits employment discrimination against employees 40 years of age or older. The ADEA was amended in 1986 and again in 1991 by the Civil Rights Act of 1991 and the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act.