Kentucky Employment Laws

Prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age (40+), disability, pregnancy/childbirth, and smoking status. Applies to employers with 8 or more employees (lower than federal Title VII's 15). Sexual orientation and gender identity are NOT explicitly protected at the state level. 3-year filing deadline — more generous than federal Title VII's 300-day limit. Enforced by Kentucky Commission on Human Rights.

State minimum wage: $7.25/hour (matches federal). Overtime at 1.5x after 40 hours/week. Kentucky also requires overtime for the 7th consecutive day of work in a workweek.

Kentucky became a right-to-work state on January 9, 2017 (HB 1) — the 27th state. Employees cannot be required to join a union or pay dues as a condition of employment. Upheld by the Kentucky Supreme Court.

Protects public employees only who report violations of law, mismanagement, waste, fraud, abuse of authority, or dangers to public health/safety. 90-day filing deadline. Private sector employees rely on common law public policy exception and specific protections like workers' comp retaliation (KRS 342.197).