New Jersey volume
Work & wages
Federal wage, safety, and civil-rights statutes apply nationwide. Many states add a higher minimum wage, paid leave, or a human-rights agency.
Federal floor
Wages and hours
The Fair Labor Standards Act sets a federal minimum wage and overtime for covered employees. Many states set a higher wage. Tipped rules also vary.
Discrimination and leave
Title VII, the ADA, the ADEA, the Equal Pay Act, and the FMLA (for covered employers) are federal. State human-rights acts often cover smaller employers.
At-will is not universal in the same way
Most states are at-will, with public-policy and anti-discrimination exceptions. Montana is a notable statutory exception after probation. Contract and union rules can change everything.