Employment law is a broad category of laws—statutes, case law (court opinions), rules, and regulations—that govern the relationship between an employer and an employee. Employment law includes state laws that only apply to employer-employee relationships in a given state, and federal laws that apply to employer-employee relationships in all states.

In Arizona, employment law encompasses a variety of state statutes and federal laws that regulate the relationship between employers and employees. State-specific laws cover matters such as minimum wage requirements, which as of 2023 is $12.80 per hour, and the Arizona Civil Rights Act, which prohibits employment discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, or national origin. Arizona also has laws regarding the payment of wages, including the frequency and manner of payment, and regulations for the protection of employees who report illegal or unethical activities (whistleblower protection). On the federal level, Arizona employers must comply with laws such as the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), which sets standards for minimum wage and overtime; the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA), which ensures workplace safety; the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities; and the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), which allows eligible employees to take unpaid, job-protected leave for specified family and medical reasons. Employers in Arizona must navigate both sets of laws to ensure full legal compliance in their employment practices.