Kansas Labor and Employment Law for Beginners

Learning the Kansas state employment regulations business owners in the state need to follow

By Kate Esposito
You need to be familiar with Kansas work laws as they pertain to your business if your business is located in the state. It is wise to speak with a lawyer to make sure you conform with all necessary statutes, especially if your business has any employees other than yourself.

Familiarize yourself with work laws in Kansas before you meet with a lawyer so you will be able to ask intelligent questions. There are several things you need to know to get a good grasp of Kansas labor and employment law for beginners.

1. Learn about Kansas labor laws pertaining to wages and payments.

2. Read about the laws that govern working conditions in Kansas.

3. Check out Kansas' requirements regarding worker's compensation insurance.

 

Learn about Kansas labor laws pertaining to wages and payments

You have to pay employees at least the state mandated minimum wage to be in compliance with Kansas labor law, unless your business is exempt from this requirement. You also have to pay overtime to eligible employees who work longer than a standard 40-hour workweek. These laws are put in place to make sure employees are treated fairly.
Try: Brady & Associates, a Kansas-based law firm, has a list of questions about overtime requirements that can help you understand employees' concerns regarding this type of compensation and your legal rights as a business owner. Another good way to learn this information is to attend a conference, such M. Lee Smith Publishers' Wage & Hour Master Class, which is held in Kansas as well as other states on a rotating basis.

Read about Kansas state employee laws that govern working conditions

Kansas employment law also contains information about benefits, including shift breaks and vacation and holiday pay. Other working condition issues relate to child labor and hiring and firing.
Try: Look at the Kansas Department of Labor's statements regarding these items. They are written in a convenient question and answer form. Reed Elsevier's Lawyers website offers additional information regarding workplace discrimination and also a bit about laws regarding sexual harassment in the office.

Check out Kansas labor laws regarding workmen's compensation insurance

One very important thing that labor lawyers in Kansas should mention to you is the workermen's compensation insurance requirement, which states that employees be retained and compensated if they are injured while on the job. This law is in response to certain employers who used to fire and replace hurt employees instead of supporting them during their recovery.
Try: State of Kansas employment law may require you to put up a poster at your business, such as the ones GovDocs sells, to inform employees about workermen's compensation insurance. WorkersCompensation is a good place to find the exact requirements regarding worker's comp in Kansas. You can read every article of the law.

 

  • This article on employment laws in Kansas is not meant to be legal advice. Please consult a licensed labor professional.