Employment Law Administrative Agencies Employlaw.com

What are administrative agencies? Perhaps the best example of one you have had to deal with is the Department of Motor Vehicles, when either getting your driver's license or registering your car. In relation to employment law there are many administrative agencies. These agencies enforce or administrate laws dealing with wages, safety, health, and discrimination. Why are there administrative agencies?

Well, once a law is passed it needs to be enforced [or administered] by someone, hence the birth of omnipresent administrative agencies. Administrative agencies develop procedural rules to effectively enforce legislation or laws passed by the legislature.

Examples of employment law administrative agencies are the California Labor Commission [enforces California's Labor Code]; the Employment Development Department [administrates unemployment benefits]; and the Department of Fair Employment and Housing [enforces state discrimination statutes]. Sometimes, administrative agencies issue interpretive decisions that may have the same force and effect of laws passed by federal or state legislatures.

At times, you must file or pursue claims exclusively through an administrative agency. In many situations, you may choose between pursuing a claim through an agency or filing a court lawsuit [wage and discrimination claims are two examples].

Most regulatory departments related to employment law will send you informational pamphlets about laws they enforce and information about how to make or defend a claim. If you want general information about some area of law, call the local office of the agency that regulates your area of concern.