The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has released an updated version of its Employment Law Guide, an online resource that outlines the major statutes and regulations administered by the DOL that affect the workplace. The Guide is a companion to FirstStep Employment Law Advisor, an interactive information tool provided by the DOL that allows employers to see which laws apply to them. The updated guide reflects changes to the federal minimum wage and addresses the enhanced military family and medical leave entitlements recently provided by the National Defense Authorization Act.  In addition, the Guide includes a section on child labor regulations in the agriculture industry and one on the Defense Base Act, which provides workers' compensation benefits to civilian employees working outside the United States on U.S. military bases or under certain contracts with the U.S.

In a statement, Labor Secretary Hilda Solis said: “Fair and safe practices in the workplace are a top priority for the Department of Labor, and we want to make it simple for both employers and workers to understand the federal policies that protect them,” adding “Our new Employment Law Guide provides updated and user-friendly information and guidance. We encourage everyone to use it.”