Labor & Employment Rights Timeline
Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA, 1938)
- Established the minimum wage, overtime pay, and child labor protections. - Codified at 29 U.S.C. § 201 et seq. - Continues to be amended to adjust wage and hour standards. ---
Equal Pay Act (1963)
- Amended the FLSA to require equal pay for equal work regardless of sex. - Foundation for modern pay equity litigation. ---
Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VII)
- Prohibited employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. - Created the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). ---
Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA, 1967)
- Prohibited discrimination against workers age 40 and over. - Still a key protection for older employees. ---
Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA, 1970)
- Established the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. - Required employers to provide workplaces “free from recognized hazards.” ---
Rehabilitation Act (1973)
- Prohibited discrimination on the basis of disability in federal programs and contractors. - Precursor to the ADA. ---
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA, 1990; amended 2008)
- Prohibited discrimination based on disability in employment, public accommodations, and government services. - Amended in 2008 to broaden the definition of disability. ---
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA, 1993)
- Guaranteed eligible employees up to 12 weeks unpaid, job-protected leave for family or medical reasons. - Expanded to include military caregiver leave provisions. ---
Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA, 1994)
- Protects the employment and reemployment rights of servicemembers returning from duty. - Codified at 38 U.S.C. §§ 4301–4335. ---
Civil Rights Act of 1991
- Strengthened Title VII protections. - Allowed jury trials and damages for intentional discrimination. ---
Recent Updates & Continuing Impact
- Wage, overtime, and leave standards continue to evolve through regulation and litigation. - Debates continue over paid leave, minimum wage, gig work, and workplace discrimination. - These laws remain the foundation of worker rights in the U.S. ---
Official Sources
- [U.S. Department of Labor – Major Laws](https://www.dol.gov/general/aboutdol/majorlaws) - [U.S. Code – Title 29 (Labor)](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?path=/prelim@title29&edition=prelim) - [EEOC – Employment Discrimination Laws](https://www.eeoc.gov/statutes) - [USERRA – 38 U.S.C. §§