Navigate U.S. Employment Regulations with Confidence
Every business that hires workers in the United States—whether it’s a 5-person startup or a 100-employee company—must interact with a network of government agencies that regulate wages, safety, taxes, and employee rights.
This directory summarizes the most important federal and state agencies employers rely on for compliance, filings, and reporting.
Disclaimer: This content is for general informational purposes and not legal advice. Always confirm current regulations with each agency.
Federal Agencies
Federal agencies form the backbone of labor and employment regulation in the U.S. They enforce workplace safety, wage laws, tax compliance, and equal opportunity. Here’s a breakdown by function:
This table lists major U.S. federal agencies and programs employers interact with for labor, tax, immigration, safety, and compliance purposes. Visit official sites for current regulations and reporting requirements.
| Agency / Program | Primary Employer-Facing Role | Website |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) | Oversees federal wage, hour, and workplace laws; includes sub-agencies such as OSHA, WHD, OFCCP, and EBSA. | dol.gov |
| Wage and Hour Division (WHD) | Enforces minimum wage, overtime, and child labor laws under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). | dol.gov/agencies/whd |
| Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) | Regulates workplace safety and health standards for employers nationwide. | osha.gov |
| Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) | Ensures federal contractors comply with equal employment and affirmative action requirements. | dol.gov/agencies/ofccp |
| Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) | Administers ERISA requirements for employer-sponsored retirement and health plans. | dol.gov/agencies/ebsa |
| National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) | Protects employees’ rights to organize and governs union and collective bargaining matters. | nlrb.gov |
| U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) | Oversees I-9 employment eligibility verification and employment-based immigration petitions. | uscis.gov |
| E-Verify (DHS/USCIS) | Internet-based system employers use to confirm employment eligibility of new hires. | e-verify.gov |
| U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) | Enforces worksite compliance and conducts Form I-9 inspections. | ice.gov |
| Internal Revenue Service (IRS) | Administers federal employment taxes, reporting, withholding, and payroll compliance. | irs.gov |
| Social Security Administration (SSA) | Maintains employee wage records for Social Security contributions and benefits reporting. | ssa.gov |
| Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) | Enforces federal laws prohibiting workplace discrimination and retaliation. | eeoc.gov |
| Office of Personnel Management (OPM) | Oversees federal employment policies; occasionally provides reference guidance for public-sector employers. | opm.gov |
| U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) | Regulates HIPAA privacy and health plan standards; oversees CMS, CDC, and related agencies. | hhs.gov |
| Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) | Administers COBRA continuation coverage and employer insurance reporting requirements (ACA). | cms.gov |
| Department of Homeland Security (DHS) | Oversees national immigration enforcement and employer verification systems (E-Verify, ICE). | dhs.gov |
| Department of Justice (DOJ) — Immigrant and Employee Rights Section (IER) | Enforces anti-discrimination provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act regarding employment eligibility. | justice.gov/crt/ier |
| Office of Special Counsel for Immigration-Related Unfair Employment Practices (OSC / IER) | Protects workers from discrimination based on citizenship or immigration status. | justice.gov/crt/ier |
| Small Business Administration (SBA) | Provides employer assistance programs, disaster relief, and small-business compliance resources. | sba.gov |
| U.S. Department of State (DOS) | Issues work visas and manages consular processing for employment-based immigration. | state.gov |
| Federal Trade Commission (FTC) | Regulates background checks under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) for employment purposes. | ftc.gov |
| Office of Management and Budget (OMB) | Approves federal reporting forms (like EEO-1) used by employers and contractors. | whitehouse.gov/omb |
State Department of Labor
Each state runs its own labor department or workforce agency that handles wage claims, unemployment insurance, and state-specific labor laws.
Employers operating in multiple states must comply with each jurisdiction’s posting, wage, and reporting rules—even for remote employees.
This table lists official links to state Departments of Labor and workforce agencies. Verify details with each agency, as URLs may change.
How Employers Interact With Government Agencies
This table summarizes how employers interact with key federal and state labor agencies across common HR and compliance functions.
| Compliance Area | Agencies Involved | Typical Employer Tasks |
|---|---|---|
| Wage & Hour | U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), Wage & Hour Division (WHD) | Set and track minimum wage rates, manage overtime rules, and maintain payroll records under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). |
| Workplace Safety | Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) | Post required safety notices, track workplace injuries (OSHA 300 logs), conduct training, and prepare for inspections. |
| Payroll & Tax | Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Social Security Administration (SSA) | Withhold and remit payroll taxes, issue W-2 forms, verify Social Security numbers, and maintain EIN registration. |
| Employee Benefits | Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA), Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) | Comply with ERISA and COBRA, provide Summary Plan Descriptions (SPDs), and report ACA coverage data to the IRS and CMS. |
| Immigration & Work Eligibility | U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE), E-Verify | Complete and store Form I-9s, run E-Verify checks for new hires, and respond to ICE audits. |
| Equal Employment Opportunity | Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) | Maintain nondiscrimination policies, track demographic data, and file EEO-1 reports for applicable employers. |
| State Labor Compliance | State Departments of Labor | File unemployment insurance reports, manage wage claims, and ensure compliance with state-specific posting and leave laws. |
Why This Directory Matters for Employers
- Avoid fines and penalties by confirming rules directly from official agencies
- Stay current on changing laws—especially wage, leave, and pay transparency updates
- Simplify reporting for unemployment insurance, wage claims, and employee verification
- Centralize compliance knowledge for HR and finance teams
Next Step: Stay Ahead of Deadlines
Stay organized with our free HR Compliance Calendar which integrates key federal and state deadlines—including reporting dates, wage updates, and filing reminders.
Read More about HR Compliance
Explore the tools on our Compliance hub to simplify policy management, reduce risk, and stay audit-ready. Clear, consistent compliance processes protect your business, build trust with your team, and set the foundation for sustainable, long-term growth.