{ "name": "US federal employment law thresholds by employee count", "description": "Employee-count thresholds that trigger US federal employment laws. Each record is one law at one threshold, stating the trigger point, what the law requires, and how employees are counted for that statute.", "url": "https://referencesource.org/regulatory-threshold-triggers/", "licence": "Facts extracted from vendor blog posts; thresholds are statutory and not copyrightable", "last_verified": "2026-08-04", "stale_after": "2027-08-04", "sources": [ "https://stratus.hr/resources/federal-law-breakdown-how-many-employees", "https://www.joinhomebase.com/blog/labor-laws-employee-count", "https://namely.com/blog/hr-compliance-50-employees/" ], "records": [ { "law": "ACA", "full_name": "Affordable Care Act", "employee_threshold": "50", "requirement": "you must offer affordable, minimum value health coverage to full-time employees (and dependent children) or face potential penalties", "counting_note": "at least 50 full-time equivalent employees (not just a head count) during the lookback period", "id": "aca", "url": "https://referencesource.org/regulatory-threshold-triggers/aca/", "source": "https://stratus.hr/resources/federal-law-breakdown-how-many-employees", "source_quote": "Affordable Care Act (ACA) According to the Affordable Care Act (ACA), you must offer affordable, minimum value health coverage to full-time employees (and dependent children) or face potential penalties. If you had at least 50", "disagreements": [ { "field": "requirement", "versions": [ { "value": "you must offer affordable, minimum value health coverage to full-time employees (and dependent children) or face potential penalties", "source": "https://stratus.hr/resources/federal-law-breakdown-how-many-employees", "source_quote": "Affordable Care Act (ACA) According to the Affordable Care Act (ACA), you must offer affordable, minimum value health coverage to full-time employees (and dependent children) or face potential penalties. If you had at least 50", "as_of": "2026-08-04" }, { "value": "requires employers with more than 50 full-time employees to offer healthcare benefits", "source": "https://namely.com/blog/hr-compliance-50-employees/", "source_quote": "The Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires employers with more than 50 full-time employees to offer healthcare benefits.", "as_of": "2026-08-04" } ] }, { "field": "counting_note", "versions": [ { "value": "at least 50 full-time equivalent employees (not just a head count) during the lookback period", "source": "https://stratus.hr/resources/federal-law-breakdown-how-many-employees", "source_quote": "Affordable Care Act (ACA) According to the Affordable Care Act (ACA), you must offer affordable, minimum value health coverage to full-time employees (and dependent children) or face potential penalties. If you had at least 50", "as_of": "2026-08-04" }, { "value": "employees who work at least 30 hours a week, or 130 hours a month, are considered full time", "source": "https://namely.com/blog/hr-compliance-50-employees/", "source_quote": "The Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires employers with more than 50 full-time employees to offer healthcare benefits.", "as_of": "2026-08-04" } ] } ] }, { "law": "ADA", "full_name": "Americans with Disabilities Act", "employee_threshold": "15", "requirement": "protects those with disabilities from being discriminated against for employment-related opportunities", "counting_note": "part-time and temporary employees are included in the head-count calculation", "id": "ada", "url": "https://referencesource.org/regulatory-threshold-triggers/ada/", "source": "https://stratus.hr/resources/federal-law-breakdown-how-many-employees", "source_quote": "Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) The Americans with Disabilities Act protects those with disabilities from being discriminated against for employment-related opportunities, from recruiting, hiring, job training, promotions, and pay, to social activities that are provided to staff members." }, { "law": "ADEA", "full_name": "Age Discrimination in Employment Act", "employee_threshold": "20", "requirement": "you cannot discriminate against (or harass) employees or applicants age 40 or older simply due to their age", "counting_note": "part-time and temporary employees are included in the head-count calculation", "id": "adea", "url": "https://referencesource.org/regulatory-threshold-triggers/adea/", "source": "https://stratus.hr/resources/federal-law-breakdown-how-many-employees", "source_quote": "Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) Per the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), you cannot discriminate against (or harass) employees or applicants age 40 or older simply due to their age." }, { "law": "Affirmative Action", "full_name": "Affirmative Action Plans (AAPs)", "employee_threshold": "50", "requirement": "Organizations with 50 or more employees and $50,000 in government contracts must have an AAP", "id": "affirmative-action", "url": "https://referencesource.org/regulatory-threshold-triggers/affirmative-action/", "source": "https://namely.com/blog/hr-compliance-50-employees/", "source_quote": "Affirmative Action Affirmative action plans (AAPs) define a company\u2019s policies and procedures on training programs, outreach efforts, and business practices that promote qualified minorities, women, people with disabilities, and veterans for equal employment opportunities. Organizations with 50 or more employees and $50,000 in government contracts must have an AAP." }, { "law": "Age Discrimination in Employment Act", "full_name": "Age Discrimination in Employment Act", "employee_threshold": "20", "requirement": "Age discrimination protection for workers 40 and older", "id": "age-discrimination-in-employment-act", "url": "https://referencesource.org/regulatory-threshold-triggers/age-discrimination-in-employment-act/", "source": "https://www.joinhomebase.com/blog/labor-laws-employee-count", "source_quote": "Age Discrimination in Employment Act" }, { "law": "Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA)", "full_name": "Age Discrimination in Employment Act", "employee_threshold": "20", "requirement": "you cannot discriminate", "counting_note": "Unless otherwise specified, part-time and temporary employees are included in the head-count calculation", "id": "age-discrimination-in-employment-act-adea", "url": "https://referencesource.org/regulatory-threshold-triggers/age-discrimination-in-employment-act-adea/", "source": "https://stratus.hr/resources/federal-law-breakdown-how-many-employees", "source_quote": "Here are the laws that apply to employers with 20+ employees in any industry affecting commerce. Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) Per the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), you cannot discriminate against (or harass) employees or applicants age 40 or older simply due to their age." }, { "law": "ALE", "full_name": "applicable large employer", "employee_threshold": "50", "requirement": "your company becomes what\u2019s called an 'applicable large employer' (ALE). In addition to offering health insurance, you\u2019ll need to demonstrate your HR compliance to the IRS every year by filing Forms 1095-C and 1094-C.", "counting_note": "Seasonal staff working less than 120 days a year do not count toward your headcount for ACA compliance purposes.", "id": "ale", "url": "https://referencesource.org/regulatory-threshold-triggers/ale/", "source": "https://namely.com/blog/hr-compliance-50-employees/", "source_quote": "Once you hit the 50 employee threshold, your company becomes what\u2019s called an \u201capplicable large employer\u201d (ALE)." }, { "law": "Break Time for Nursing Mothers", "full_name": "Break Time for Nursing Mothers", "employee_threshold": "1", "requirement": "you to provide rest breaks and accommodations (in a location other than a bathroom) for nursing mothers to express breast milk for up to 1 year after the child\u2019s birth", "counting_note": "Employers with fewer than 50 employees may be exempt if they can demonstrate an undue hardship", "id": "break-time-for-nursing-mothers", "url": "https://referencesource.org/regulatory-threshold-triggers/break-time-for-nursing-mothers/", "source": "https://stratus.hr/resources/federal-law-breakdown-how-many-employees", "source_quote": "Break Time for Nursing Mothers Break Time for Nursing Mothers is a sub-section to the ACA that requires you to provide rest breaks and accommodations (in a location other than a bathroom) for nursing mothers to express breast milk for up to 1 year after the child\u2019s birth." }, { "law": "CCPA", "full_name": "Consumer Credit Protection Act", "employee_threshold": "1", "requirement": "you cannot discharge an employee simply because their wages have been garnished for a debt", "id": "ccpa", "url": "https://referencesource.org/regulatory-threshold-triggers/ccpa/", "source": "https://stratus.hr/resources/federal-law-breakdown-how-many-employees", "source_quote": "Consumer Credit Protection Act (CCPA) The Consumer Credit Protection Act (CCPA) says you cannot discharge an employee simply because their wages have been garnished for a debt." }, { "law": "COBRA", "full_name": "Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act", "employee_threshold": "20", "requirement": "requires employers to offer continuation coverage of employer-sponsored group health insurance to eligible employees and their dependents when coverage would otherwise be lost due to certain events such as termination", "counting_note": "part-time and temporary employees are included in the head-count calculation", "id": "cobra", "url": "https://referencesource.org/regulatory-threshold-triggers/cobra/", "source": "https://stratus.hr/resources/federal-law-breakdown-how-many-employees", "source_quote": "Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA)" }, { "law": "EEO-1", "full_name": "EEO-1", "employee_threshold": "100+", "requirement": "Develop formal procedures for workforce changes and annual EEO reporting", "id": "eeo-1", "url": "https://referencesource.org/regulatory-threshold-triggers/eeo-1/", "source": "https://www.joinhomebase.com/blog/labor-laws-employee-count", "source_quote": "EEO-1" }, { "law": "EEO-1 Report", "full_name": "EEO-1 Report", "employee_threshold": "100", "requirement": "requires you to annually submit employment data categorized by race/ethnicity, gender, and job category to the EEOC", "counting_note": "part-time and temporary employees are included in the head-count calculation", "id": "eeo-1-report", "url": "https://referencesource.org/regulatory-threshold-triggers/eeo-1-report/", "source": "https://stratus.hr/resources/federal-law-breakdown-how-many-employees", "source_quote": "EEO-1 Report The EEO-1 Report requires you to annually submit employment data categorized by race/ethnicity, gender, and job category to the EEOC." }, { "law": "EEOC", "full_name": "Equal Employment Opportunity Commission", "employee_threshold": "100", "requirement": "businesses over a certain size submit a headcount report including race, gender, and role information on an annual basis.", "counting_note": "the law does not distinguish between full-time or part-time workers.", "id": "eeoc", "url": "https://referencesource.org/regulatory-threshold-triggers/eeoc/", "source": "https://namely.com/blog/hr-compliance-50-employees/", "source_quote": "The EEOC organization requires that businesses over a certain size submit a headcount report including race, gender, and role information on an annual basis. While private businesses don\u2019t have to worry about demographic reporting until reaching 100 employees, federal contractors need to comply once they hit the 50 employee threshold." }, { "law": "EPA", "full_name": "Equal Pay Act", "employee_threshold": "1", "requirement": "you must provide equal compensation to anyone who performs equal work within the same workplace, regardless of gender", "id": "epa", "url": "https://referencesource.org/regulatory-threshold-triggers/epa/", "source": "https://stratus.hr/resources/federal-law-breakdown-how-many-employees", "source_quote": "Equal Pay Act (EPA) According to the Equal Pay Act (EPA), you must provide equal compensation to anyone who performs equal work within the same workplace, regardless of gender." }, { "law": "EPPA", "full_name": "Employee Polygraph Protection Act", "employee_threshold": "1", "requirement": "if you are a private employer, you cannot use a lie detector test for pre-employment screening or during the course of employment unless you meet certain exceptions", "id": "eppa", "url": "https://referencesource.org/regulatory-threshold-triggers/eppa/", "source": "https://stratus.hr/resources/federal-law-breakdown-how-many-employees", "source_quote": "Employee Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA)" }, { "law": "ERISA", "full_name": "Employee Retirement Income Security Act", "employee_threshold": "1", "requirement": "your benefit plans must meet minimum standards outlined in the act, which include regulations for participation, vesting, benefit accrual and funding, fiduciary responsibilities, grievance process", "id": "erisa", "url": "https://referencesource.org/regulatory-threshold-triggers/erisa/", "source": "https://stratus.hr/resources/federal-law-breakdown-how-many-employees", "source_quote": "Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) Under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), your benefit plans must meet minimum standards outlined in the act, which include regulations for participation, vesting, benefit accrual and funding, fiduciary responsibilities, grievance process, and so on." }, { "law": "FCRA", "full_name": "Fair Credit Reporting Act", "employee_threshold": "1", "requirement": "you must take certain steps prior to using consumer reports (including standard background checks) to make employment decisions", "id": "fcra", "url": "https://referencesource.org/regulatory-threshold-triggers/fcra/", "source": "https://stratus.hr/resources/federal-law-breakdown-how-many-employees", "source_quote": "Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) Per the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), you must take certain steps prior to using consumer reports (including standard background checks) to make employment decisions." }, { "law": "Federal labor laws for businesses with 15 or more employees", "full_name": "Federal labor laws for businesses with 15 or more employees", "employee_threshold": "15", "requirement": "When you reach 15 employees, you'll need to comply with additional federal laws designed to prevent discrimination in the workplace.", "id": "federal-labor-laws-for-businesses-with-15-or-more-employees", "url": "https://referencesource.org/regulatory-threshold-triggers/federal-labor-laws-for-businesses-with-15-or-more-employees/", "source": "https://www.joinhomebase.com/blog/labor-laws-employee-count", "source_quote": "Federal labor laws for businesses with 15 or more employees" }, { "law": "Federal labor laws for businesses with 20 or more employees", "full_name": "Federal labor laws for businesses with 20 or more employees", "employee_threshold": "20", "requirement": "When your team grows to 20 employees, two additional federal laws come into play that provide important protections for your workers.", "id": "federal-labor-laws-for-businesses-with-20-or-more-employees", "url": "https://referencesource.org/regulatory-threshold-triggers/federal-labor-laws-for-businesses-with-20-or-more-employees/", "source": "https://www.joinhomebase.com/blog/labor-laws-employee-count", "source_quote": "Federal labor laws for businesses with 20 or more employees When your team grows to 20 employees, two additional federal laws come into play that provide important protections for your workers." }, { "law": "FLSA", "full_name": "Fair Labor Standards Act", "employee_threshold": "1", "requirement": "requires nonexempt employees to be paid at least a minimum wage and overtime wages", "id": "flsa", "url": "https://referencesource.org/regulatory-threshold-triggers/flsa/", "source": "https://stratus.hr/resources/federal-law-breakdown-how-many-employees", "source_quote": "Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) Among other things, the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) requires nonexempt employees to be paid at least a minimum wage and overtime wages." }, { "law": "FMLA", "full_name": "Family and Medical Leave Act", "employee_threshold": "50", "requirement": "requires you to provide eligible employees with unpaid, job-protected leave for specified family and medical reasons", "counting_note": "part-time and temporary employees are included in the head-count calculation", "id": "fmla", "url": "https://referencesource.org/regulatory-threshold-triggers/fmla/", "source": "https://stratus.hr/resources/federal-law-breakdown-how-many-employees", "source_quote": "Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) requires you to provide eligible employees with unpaid, job-protected leave for specified family and medical reasons.", "disagreements": [ { "field": "full_name", "versions": [ { "value": "Family and Medical Leave Act", "source": "https://stratus.hr/resources/federal-law-breakdown-how-many-employees", "source_quote": "Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) requires you to provide eligible employees with unpaid, job-protected leave for specified family and medical reasons.", "as_of": "2026-08-04" }, { "value": "Family Medical Leave Act", "source": "https://namely.com/blog/hr-compliance-50-employees/", "source_quote": "The Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) requires companies with 50 or more employees to offer its staff up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave.", "as_of": "2026-08-04" } ] }, { "field": "requirement", "versions": [ { "value": "requires you to provide eligible employees with unpaid, job-protected leave for specified family and medical reasons", "source": "https://stratus.hr/resources/federal-law-breakdown-how-many-employees", "source_quote": "Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) requires you to provide eligible employees with unpaid, job-protected leave for specified family and medical reasons.", "as_of": "2026-08-04" }, { "value": "requires companies with 50 or more employees to offer its staff up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave", "source": "https://namely.com/blog/hr-compliance-50-employees/", "source_quote": "The Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) requires companies with 50 or more employees to offer its staff up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave.", "as_of": "2026-08-04" } ] } ] }, { "law": "Form 5500", "full_name": "Employee Benefit Plans (Form 5500)", "employee_threshold": "50", "requirement": "required for any employer who sponsors a pension or welfare benefit plan covered by ERISA", "id": "form-5500", "url": "https://referencesource.org/regulatory-threshold-triggers/form-5500/", "source": "https://namely.com/blog/hr-compliance-50-employees/", "source_quote": "Employee Benefit Plans (Form 5500)" }, { "law": "Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA)", "full_name": "Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act", "employee_threshold": "15", "requirement": "you cannot discriminate against employees or applicants based on their genetic information or family medical history", "counting_note": "Unless otherwise specified, part-time and temporary employees are included in the head-count calculation", "id": "genetic-information-nondiscrimination-act-gina", "url": "https://referencesource.org/regulatory-threshold-triggers/genetic-information-nondiscrimination-act-gina/", "source": "https://stratus.hr/resources/federal-law-breakdown-how-many-employees", "source_quote": "Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) According to the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA), you cannot discriminate against employees or applicants based on their genetic information or family medical history." }, { "law": "GINA", "full_name": "Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act", "employee_threshold": "15", "requirement": "you cannot discriminate against employees or applicants based on their genetic information or family medical history", "counting_note": "part-time and temporary employees are included in the head-count calculation", "id": "gina", "url": "https://referencesource.org/regulatory-threshold-triggers/gina/", "source": "https://stratus.hr/resources/federal-law-breakdown-how-many-employees", "source_quote": "Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) According to the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA), you cannot discriminate against employees or applicants based on their genetic information or family medical history." }, { "law": "IRCA", "full_name": "Immigration Reform and Control Act", "employee_threshold": "1", "requirement": "requires you to only hire and retain employees who are legally authorized to work in the United States", "id": "irca", "url": "https://referencesource.org/regulatory-threshold-triggers/irca/", "source": "https://stratus.hr/resources/federal-law-breakdown-how-many-employees", "source_quote": "Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA) The Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA) requires you to only hire and retain employees who are legally authorized to work in the United States." }, { "law": "Jury System Improvements Act", "full_name": "Jury System Improvements Act", "employee_threshold": "1", "requirement": "you cannot discharge, intimidate, or threaten to discharge an employee summoned to serve as a juror in federal court", "id": "jury-system-improvements-act", "url": "https://referencesource.org/regulatory-threshold-triggers/jury-system-improvements-act/", "source": "https://stratus.hr/resources/federal-law-breakdown-how-many-employees", "source_quote": "Jury System Improvements Act According to the Jury System Improvements Act , you cannot discharge, intimidate, or threaten to discharge an employee summoned to serve as a juror in federal court." }, { "law": "OSH Act", "full_name": "Occupational Safety and Health Act", "employee_threshold": "1", "requirement": "requires you to provide a safe workplace, maintain records of work-related injuries, post required information, and train employees regarding safety hazards", "id": "osh-act", "url": "https://referencesource.org/regulatory-threshold-triggers/osh-act/", "source": "https://stratus.hr/resources/federal-law-breakdown-how-many-employees", "source_quote": "Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act) The Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act) requires you to provide a safe workplace, maintain records of work-related injuries, post required information, and train employees regarding safety hazards." }, { "law": "PDA", "full_name": "Pregnancy Discrimination Act", "employee_threshold": "15", "requirement": "requires you to treat employees who are pregnant or recently went through childbirth the same as any other applicant or employee regarding their ability or inability to work", "counting_note": "part-time and temporary employees are included in the head-count calculation", "id": "pda", "url": "https://referencesource.org/regulatory-threshold-triggers/pda/", "source": "https://stratus.hr/resources/federal-law-breakdown-how-many-employees", "source_quote": "Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA) The Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA) requires you to treat employees who are pregnant or recently went through childbirth the same as any other applicant or employee regarding their ability or inability to work." }, { "law": "Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA)", "full_name": "Pregnancy Discrimination Act", "employee_threshold": "15", "requirement": "The Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA) requires you to treat employees who are pregnant or recently went through childbirth the same as any other applicant or employee regarding their ability or inability to work. Unequal treatment is considered unlawful sex discrimination", "counting_note": "Unless otherwise specified, part-time and temporary employees are included in the head-count calculation", "id": "pregnancy-discrimination-act-pda", "url": "https://referencesource.org/regulatory-threshold-triggers/pregnancy-discrimination-act-pda/", "source": "https://stratus.hr/resources/federal-law-breakdown-how-many-employees", "source_quote": "Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA) The Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA) requires you to treat employees who are pregnant or recently went through childbirth the same as any other applicant or employee regarding their ability or inability to work. Unequal treatment is considered unlawful sex discrimination." }, { "law": "Title VII of the Civil Rights Act", "full_name": "Title VII of the Civil Rights Act", "employee_threshold": "15", "requirement": "you are prohibited from discriminating against employees based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin", "counting_note": "part-time and temporary employees are included in the head-count calculation", "id": "title-vii-of-the-civil-rights-act", "url": "https://referencesource.org/regulatory-threshold-triggers/title-vii-of-the-civil-rights-act/", "source": "https://stratus.hr/resources/federal-law-breakdown-how-many-employees", "source_quote": "Title VII of the Civil Rights Act Title VII of the Civil Rights Act says you are prohibited from discriminating against employees based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin." }, { "law": "USERRA", "full_name": "Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act", "employee_threshold": "1", "requirement": "when an employee returns from military service or training, you are required to provide them with either their former job or a comparable job", "id": "userra", "url": "https://referencesource.org/regulatory-threshold-triggers/userra/", "source": "https://stratus.hr/resources/federal-law-breakdown-how-many-employees", "source_quote": "Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) The Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) says that when an employee returns from military service or training, you are required to provide them with either their former job or a comparable job to what they had prior to military duty." }, { "law": "WARN", "full_name": "Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act", "employee_threshold": "100", "requirement": "you are required to provide a 60-day advance written notice to affected employees", "counting_note": "part-time and temporary employees are included in the head-count calculation", "id": "warn", "url": "https://referencesource.org/regulatory-threshold-triggers/warn/", "source": "https://stratus.hr/resources/federal-law-breakdown-how-many-employees", "source_quote": "Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act Per the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act , if your plant closes or you have a mass layoff, you are required to provide a 60-day advance written notice to affected employees." } ] }