Arizona Employment Laws

Prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, and disability. Enforced by the Arizona Attorney General's Civil Rights Division (ACRD). Complaints must be filed within 180 days.

The 2026 minimum wage is $15.15/hour (up from $14.70 in 2025), adjusted annually by CPI. Tipped employees may be paid up to $3/hour less if tips bring total to minimum wage. Established by Proposition 206 (Fair Wages and Healthy Families Act).

Employers with 15+ employees: 40 hours/year accrual (1 hour per 30 hours worked). Employers with fewer than 15 employees: 24 hours/year. Part of Proposition 206.

Arizona codifies at-will employment with specific exceptions: breach of written employment contract, termination violating Arizona statute, retaliatory discharge for refusing to commit an illegal act or disclosing employer's legal violations, and exercise of workers' compensation rights or jury service.

Public employees are protected from reprisal for disclosing violations of law, mismanagement, gross waste, or abuse of authority. Penalties include up to $10,000 civil penalty, mandatory dismissal of the retaliator, and full remedies for the whistleblower.