Work Rights
4guides
What US employment law actually gives you — and what it doesn't.
At-will employment — the biggest shock for newcomersIn almost every state employment is 'at will': either side can end it at any time, for almost any reason, with no notice and no redundancy pay. If you're used to European protections, this is the difference to understand first.
Minimum wage, overtime and working hoursThere's a federal minimum wage, but many states and cities set a higher one — and where they differ, you get the higher rate. Overtime rules depend on whether your role is classified as exempt.
Work authorisation and the I-9Every new hire completes an I-9 proving they may work in the US. Employers must verify it — but they're also barred from demanding specific documents or treating you differently because you're foreign.
Wage theft — unpaid hours, stolen tips, and fighting backUnpaid overtime, off-the-clock work and skimmed tips are rampant in industries that hire newcomers. The Department of Labor investigates for free — and your immigration status is not a bar to complaining.