Labor laws in Oklahoma require human resource professionals to develop many different competencies. They must comply with federal laws that prohibit discrimination in hiring new employees, create harassment-free work environments, know how to verify new hires' legal status and understand how immigration laws are impacting hiring practices and employee management, to name just a few, will need to know how to avoid situations that could give rise to complaints of employment discrimination by your company's employees and how to respond to such a complaint should that be necessary.

Fortunately, sources for Oklahoma work laws are easy to find. As a human resources manager or support staff member, it will become your duty to make informed decisions that will influence your employees; you need to make decisions that reveal you are knowledgeable about Oklahoma non-discrimination employment policies. Get smart about your Oklahoma labor and employment law education and training by following a few easy steps:

1. Rely on Oklahoma labor law statutes identified on official government websites.

2. Stay informed of Oklahoma working laws with newsletters and commentaries that practicing attorneys publish.

3. Get the inside story on labor laws in Oklahoma by tracking blogs where employment law professionals discuss their work.

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

Access educational information from government websites about Oklahoma employment laws

When providing a solid foundation for your employees' education on Oklahoma labor laws, you should first seek to teach them how to locate state child labor laws or know the intricacies of workers' compensation regulations in Oklahoma.

I recommend: Oklahoma's Department of Labor explains the state's workers' compensation services and employment wage standards. Study the answers to frequently asked questions regarding complaints based on workplace discrimination that are posted on the Oklahoma Human Rights Commission's website.

Educate your team using legal updates provided by practicing law firms labor laws of Oklahoma

No educational program would be complete without teaching your staff how to check out the kinds of cases Oklahoma employment lawyers handle on a daily basis. This helps them identify key issues. These legal updates also provide ready access to case law that helps to interpret Oklahoma statutory law.

I recommend: Jackson Lewis' website reports on timely decisions handed down by higher courts that have the potential to significantly impact Oklahoma work laws. Doerner, Saunders, Daniel & Anderson provides a comprehensive summary of issues regarding immigration law that employers should know. The Lee Law Center provides a concise definition of justifiable grounds for companies to terminate employees.

Use information from blogs about Oklahoma labor laws for education

Enhance any educational endeavor by emphasizing the timeliness of these laws. Employment law in Oklahoma, as in every other state, is subject to change when public opinion reacts to a crisis or other issues of general concern. Blogs are where employment lawyers go to offer their own interpretations of recent court opinions and where employees go to 'vent' or share a personal experience about Oklahoma labor laws.

I recommend: Law Memo summarizes significant decisions from Circuit Courts that impact how lower courts in Oklahoma will interpret state labor laws. EmployersLawyers.blogspot.com analyzes case law that questions whether businesses can prohibit employees from carrying guns in company parking lots. City-Data.com hosts a forum for state employees in Oklahoma to discuss issues of general concern.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Your Oklahoma labor and employment law education and training program should assist you in learning the four types of verification systems that businesses use to confirm the legal status of new hires.

Labor laws in Oklahoma may seem complex, but observing them can actually be quite simple. Oklahoma requires every employer to post current employment and wage laws in a conspicuous place that employees have access to. In addition, you should make sure you have employment policies in place that prevent you or any of your managers from violating the laws.

You can take a few simple steps to make sure you stay in compliance with Oklahoma labor law. Here are a few things you should do:

1. Provide an employee handbook which includes all expectations, your EEO statement, your drug policy, vacation and sick leave policies, and conditions for dismissal.

2. Hire qualified human resources personnel and train your managers in Oklahoma labor laws in order to avoid problems when interviewing, hiring and firing employees.

3. Review employee performance on a regular basis and avoid showing favoritism either in assignments or pay.

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

Understand OK labor laws and stay out of trouble

You don't have to go back to law school to understand Oklahoma employment laws. However, you and especially your HR department, should take time to regularly review current regulations. In addition, you need to make sure you have the most current Oklahoma labor and employment law posters up and in plain view.

I recommend: The Oklahoma Department of Labor provides PDF documents covering every area of employment law that affects Oklahoma employers. If you hire teenagers, the department also provides a simple guide to Oklahoma child labor laws. You can purchase or download employment law posters from The Oklahoma Employment Security Commission. The most convenient way to meet the requirement for posting Federal and Oklahoma labor laws is to purchase an all-in-one poster from the Poster Compliance Center.

Look up Oklahoma state employment law on the Internet

If you ever have a question about Oklahoma labor and employment statutes, turn to the Web to get the information you need.

I recommend: The Matthies Law Firm provides an easy-to-use index to Oklahoma work laws. You'll find entries for everything from smoker's rights to time off to vote. For access to all labor laws in Oklahoma, turn to PEO7.com; just be aware that it does not include a search function.

Turn to Oklahoma employment law firms when you need advice

If, despite your best efforts, you find yourself in a conflict with an employee, you should consult with an attorney who specializes in employment law. Many attorneys only take cases representing wronged employees, but large firms should have an attorney who can advise and possibly represent you in case of a law suit.

I recommend: The FindLaw Lawyer Directory lists employment lawyers by city. Lawyers.com can also connect you with an Oklahoma labor law attorney. You may want to contact one of the members of the Oklahoma Employment Lawyers Association.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  The easiest way to stay in compliance with Oklahoma work laws is to treat every employee equally and fairly. Most disputes occur when an employer discriminates based on age, gender or race or engages in unfair pay practices.