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New Hampshire Labor and Employment Law Basics

Learn how to comply with NH employment laws

By Emmet McMahan
An examination of New Hampshire 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.

NH 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. Labor laws in NH 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. New Hampshire employers must prominently display posters in the workplace with specific information on federal and New Hampshire labor laws.
  3. Workers compensation insurance. New Hampshire has minimum coverage requirements for employees who experience work-related injuries. Employers frequently consult with New Hampshire employment law firms to ensure their worker's compensation insurance coverage is adequate.

 

Learn about NH employment law that regulates minimum wage and overtime

According to New Hampshire 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.
Try: The New Hampshire Department of Labor has a FAQ for employment law issues in New Hampshire, such as the minimum wage. The U.S. Department of Labor has basic minimum wage facts on all of the states, including New Hampshire.

Find out how to display posters on NH labor law

New Hampshire 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.
Try: Primex provides a summary of the federal and state posting requirements for New Hampshire. Federal Wage and Labor Law Institute lists the specific laws that must be displayed in New Hampshire workplaces.

Provide workers' compensation insurance required by employment laws in NH

Workers' compensation insurance in New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire commonly have basic information on workers compensation.
Try: WorkWorld provides a summary on workers compensation insurance in New Hampshire. The New Hampshire Bar Association offers an overview on workers' compensation insurance in New Hampshire.

 

  • NH labor laws on firing employees 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.

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