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If you own a small business, then you know that it is important to stay in compliance with all of the rules and regulations that affect your business. You also know that there are many laws that small businesses have to follow, but which ones? To answer this question, we need to look at both federal and state laws. Consumer Protection Laws Consumer protection laws are meant to protect consumers from being scammed or misled. They are in place to prevent unfair business practices and ensure that consumers are aware of the products they are buying. For example, if you purchase a product online and it turns out to be fake or defective, you could file a complaint against the seller with your state's attorney general's office. You would also have the option of filing a lawsuit against them in court if your claim was not resolved through mediation or arbitration. Federal Anti-Discrimination Laws It's important to be aware of the laws that apply to your business. This includes knowing about your rights and responsibilities, as well as knowing what you can do if someone is violating them. The first thing you need to know about federal anti-discrimination laws is that they apply only when a person has been discriminated against on the basis of race, color or national origin (referred to as "race discrimination"), sex (gender), religion, age (age), disability status/other protected characteristics such as marital status or familial status. These include: Age: You cannot refuse employment opportunities because someone is too old for their job position; however, if an older employee doesn't want younger employees around him/her too much then he/she should make sure that this doesn't happen by changing his/her work schedule so there aren't times in which they are alone together where personal conversations might occur between them Environmental Protection Laws You should also be aware of environmental laws that apply to your business. These include: The Clean Air Act of 1970, regulates emissions from motor vehicles and other sources. The Clean Water Act of 1972, regulates pollution in rivers, lakes, and other bodies of water. The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), passed in 1974 and updated in 1996, establishes standards for drinking water quality throughout the country by setting minimum levels for various contaminants such as lead or arsenic present at unsafe levels. If you're found guilty of violating these regulations—and they can be pretty harsh penalties—you could face fines of up to $25 million per violation! Federal Labor Laws Federal labor laws are the same for all businesses, regardless of size. Some laws are in place to ensure that workers are treated fairly and have the same rights as everyone else, while others protect them from discrimination or overwork. The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) requires employers to pay their employees minimum wage and overtime when they work more than 40 hours a week. This applies to salaried employees who earn at least $1 per hour plus tips; hourly-paid workers must be paid time-and-a-half after 40 hours worked in a standard workweek. The Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA), which was passed by Congress in 1986, prohibits employers from discriminating against an employee based on citizenship status. Small businesses have many laws that they need to comply with, but it is better to stay in compliance than to have to go back and fix things later. Many small businesses do not realize that they have many laws that apply to them. If you run a small business, it is important for you to be aware of the laws that apply and how they affect your business. The most common mistake made by small businesses is not knowing what their responsibilities are in regard to complying with local, state, and federal regulations. If a law does not seem relevant at first glance then it may be because there are parts of the law that can be interpreted differently by different courts or jurisdictions within each state or country depending upon where the business operates from. This can lead to confusion when trying to determine exactly what type of compliance issues are present within one's own operation(s). Conclusion You’re probably wondering what the takeaway is. This article has given you a brief overview of some of the laws that small businesses must follow if they want to run their business successfully and legally. However, there are other important things that your business must do as well. For example, it’s important to have a good plan for how employees will be trained in order to avoid liability issues down the road. You should also make sure all of your paperwork is completed properly so that when regulators come knocking at your door looking for taxes or compliance reasons (or both), everything will be ready on time! You can take the help of an experienced business attorney to make sure your business is state and federal laws compliant. About The Author Jim turner is a USA-based author on Legal issues related to estate planning, will and trust, business law, and elder law. Jim turner does her best writing on these topics that help users to find the best solutions to their FAQ on estate planning, probate, business formation, and more about legal family issues. The author can be reached at https://rochesterlawcenter.com
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