Labor Standards

Labor standards are rules that govern the way in which employers treat their employees. Some of these are written laws, rules, or regulations passed by government entities. Others may be articulated through trade treaties between nations, through collective-bargaining agreements between management and trade unions representing workers employed by the company, or as part of an employment agreement between an employer and an individual employee. Labor standards are a reflection of the value a society places on its labor force and the conditions under which that labor force is asked to perform. A society’s focus on specific social problems often leads to changes in labor standards that provide additional protections for workers while creating an added layer of administrative responsibility. Conversely, when labor standards increase employer ...