Brief History of Worker's Rights

This is a brief history of worker's rights in the United States.


Throughout history, employment law has evolved significantly, changing the way employers treat their employees and the rights employees have in the workplace. The early history of employment law reveals a time when employees had virtually no rights, and employers had complete control over their employees' working conditions and wages.

In the 19th century, labor laws were essentially non-existent, and workers had to rely on collective bargaining and strikes to improve their working conditions. The first laws protecting workers in the United States were passed in the early 1900s and focused primarily on improving working conditions and setting a minimum wage.

The New Deal in the 1930s marked a significant turning point in employment law history. President Franklin D. Roosevelt implemented a series of labor laws aimed at protecting workers' rights and creating a more fair and equal workplace. These laws included the National Labor Relations Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act, and the Social Security Act, which established the framework for the modern American employment law system.

In the 1960s, the Civil Rights Act was passed, prohibiting employers from discriminating against employees based on their race, religion, gender, and other factors. The act also created the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, which enforces anti-discrimination laws in the workplace.

Since then, additional employment laws have been passed to further protect workers' rights. These laws have expanded to include protections for whistleblowers, family and medical leave, and reasonable accommodations for employees with disabilities.

The history of employment law has been marked by a gradual evolution from a time when employees had no rights to a more equitable system where employees have certain rights and protections. While there is still work to be done to ensure that all workers are treated fairly and equally, significant progress has been made, and employment law continues to evolve to meet the changing needs of the modern workforce.

From Lesson: Workplace Rights and Responsibilities

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From Learning Gig: Employment Soft Skills

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