Employment & Labor Law Glossary (A–Z) | Spanish-English
The Language of Labor & Compliance
Employment & Labor Law
A Professional Gift to the Interpreting Community from Samuel Arcelay
Welcome to the Labor Law Index. This domain governs the complex relationship between employers and employees. For the interpreter, this involves navigating technical regulations regarding wages, safety, and human rights.
"The vocabulary shifts from general civil litigation to highly specialized statutory protections. Whether interpreting a Wage Theft claim or a Hostile Work Environment deposition, your precision defines the outcome."
Mastery of this section ensures accuracy in administrative hearings, union arbitrations, and civil trials involving the Code of Conduct of the workplace.
A
Adverse Employment ActionAcción laboral desfavorable
Definition: Any negative change in employment status, such as demotion, termination, or reduction in pay.
Affirmative ActionAcción afirmativa
Definition: Policies designed to provide equal opportunities for groups that have been historically discriminated against.
At-Will EmploymentEmpleo a voluntad
Definition: Employment that can be terminated by either party at any time, for any legal reason.
B
Back PaySalarios devengados / Salarios atrasados
Definition: Past wages owed to an employee, often as a result of wrongful termination or unpaid overtime.
Bargaining UnitUnidad de negociación
Definition: A group of employees with similar interests who are represented by a single labor union.
C
Collective BargainingNegociación colectiva
Definition: Negotiation between an employer and a labor union to determine wages and working conditions.
Compensatory Time (Comp Time)Tiempo compensatorio
Definition: Paid time off given to an employee instead of overtime pay.
Constructive DischargeDespido indirecto / Despido tácito
Definition: When an employee resigns because the employer made working conditions intolerable.
D
Disparate TreatmentTratamiento dispar / Trato desigual
Definition: Intentional discrimination against an individual based on a protected characteristic.
F
FLSA (Fair Labor Standards Act)Ley de Normas Justas de Trabajo (FLSA)
Definition: Federal law establishing minimum wage, overtime pay, and child labor standards.
FMLA (Family and Medical Leave Act)Ley de Licencia Familiar y Médica (FMLA)
Definition: Federal law providing unpaid, job-protected leave for specified family and medical reasons.
H
Hostile Work EnvironmentAmbiente laboral hostil
Definition: Workplace where harassment is severe or pervasive enough to alter the terms of employment.
I
Independent ContractorContratista independiente
Definition: A person or business that provides services to another under a contract, not as an employee.
M
Minimum WageSalario mínimo
Definition: The lowest hourly rate an employer can legally pay a worker.
N
Non-Compete AgreementAcuerdo de no competencia
Definition: Contract clause restricting an employee from working for a competitor for a specific time after leaving.
O
OvertimeHoras extraordinarias / Horas extra
Definition: Time worked beyond the standard work week (usually 40 hours), typically paid at 1.5 times the regular rate.
P
Protected ActivityActividad protegida
Definition: Actions like whistleblowing or filing a discrimination claim that an employer cannot legally punish.
R
RetaliationRepresalias
Definition: Unlawful action taken by an employer against an employee for engaging in protected activity.
S
Severance PackagePaquete de indemnización por despido
Definition: Pay and benefits an employee receives when leaving employment.
W
Wage TheftRobo de salarios
Definition: Illegal practice of not paying workers for their earned wages or overtime.
Workers' CompensationIndemnización por accidentes de trabajo
Definition: Insurance providing wage replacement and medical benefits to employees injured on the job.
Z
Zero Tolerance PolicyPolítica de tolerancia cero
Definition: Strict workplace policy mandating specific punishment for any violation of a rule.