Missouri Labor and Employment Law is necessary in order to protect the rights of Missouri employees. As a business owner, you must abide by and enforce every Missouri labor law. While the list of laws and requirements may seem overwhelming, many of them are common knowledge in today's business society. For starters, there are 3 crucial elements that you must be familiar with in regards to labor laws in Missouri:
1. Regulations for an employee's hours, overtime and child employment
2. Laws regarding an employee's wages
3. Employees' rights regarding dismissal from or quitting a job
In short, a work day, according to Missouri Labor and Employment Law, is 8 hours long. However, overtime is not based upon 1 day, but earned when an employee works more than 40 hours in one week. There is no law in Missouri that restricts the number of hours an employee can work.
You can't pay an employee less than the established minimum wage at the current time, and the established state minimum wage takes precedence over the federal rate. Be aware that you must provide your employees with 30 days posted notice if there is to be a reduction in their wages for any reason.
Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done
Make yourself aware of the Missouri labor laws in their entirety
There is little you can do to protect yourself and your business if you don't thoroughly know all of the employment laws in Missouri. Keep abreast of any changes or amendments to the Missouri labor rights by reading your local newspaper regularly.
I recommend: Section XVIII of the Missouri Revised Statutes on labor and industrial regulations lists the labor laws in their entirety, including Workers' Compensation and Child Labor Law. Additionally, review the
Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Regulations' help page on labor laws, complete with frequently asked questions, to gain a better understanding Missouri work laws. Check HRhero.com's
Missouri Employment Law Letter regularly for useful information on court findings and the current state of employment law.
Hang Missouri labor law posters within your business
Missouri employment law requires you, as an employer, to keep your employees informed of their rights. As part of that requirement, hang posters within your operation in a location that is easily visible to all employees. Basic employment law posters include information regarding Workers' Compensation law, the minimum wage, unemployment benefits and employment discrimination.
I recommend: Missouri Revised Statute 290.265 states that you must post, in clear view, information regarding minimum wage. Download posters at the website for the
Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations.
Know the penalties for violating employment laws in Missouri
The penalty for violating any of the labor laws in Missouri is either a fine of no more than $500, up to 6 months in jail or both a fine and jail time for each violation. The prosecutor deems each day that a violation occurs as a separate offense, if he choses to do so. Staying informed of any changes will help you avoid such penalties. As stated in Missouri Revised Statute 290.335, if you do violate Missouri employment law, the state government must notify you, conduct an investigation and give you an opportunity to correct your mistake before prosecuting.
I recommend: Missouri Revised Statute 290.340 provides the specifics regarding penalties for violating Missouri State labor laws. To gain feedback and perspective on your situation, visit
Labor Law Talk's forum on Missouri Labor Law and start a discussion thread with other business owners.
Hire a Missouri Labor and Employment Law Attorney
If the government informs you that you are in violation of Missouri labor law, you must protect your rights. Even if you intend on correcting you mistake, contact an attorney and get her opinion on your situation. Most attorneys will provide a consultation free of charge, with the option to hire them if your situation requires their assistance.
I recommend: The
BMHM Find a Lawyer Database provides a lists of employment and labor law attorneys by towns and cities in Missouri. In the area of labor laws in MO,
Reed & Nowogrocki, LLC provides legal services in the St. Louis area.
Thornberry, Eischens & Brown, LLC is located in Kansas City and
Les Boyle, LLC can assist you in Springfield.
Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide
- When you contact an attorney who specializes in Missouri employment laws, ask for information on his experience, such as his win/lose ratio, number of past clients and years experience in the labor law field.
The official source of Missouri Labor and Employment Law is
the Missouri Labor and Employment Law page at Business.com
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