{"id":6744,"date":"2012-04-18T19:03:00","date_gmt":"2012-04-19T00:03:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/us\/?post_type=resources&#038;p=6744"},"modified":"2026-07-10T09:41:07","modified_gmt":"2026-07-10T14:41:07","slug":"kentucky-employment-law","status":"publish","type":"resources","link":"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/us\/resources\/hr-compliance\/kentucky-employment-law\/","title":{"rendered":"Kentucky employment law overview"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide has-primary-white-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-efae2095 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"border-radius:25px;margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-7fc3d43a wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:70%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-8e1436f2 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0\">\n<p class=\"\">by <strong><strong>The<\/strong> <strong>Brightmine Editorial Team<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Kentucky has laws that provide greater protections to employees than federal law, including health care continuation coverage obligations for smaller employers and leave for volunteer emergency responders, but generally follows federal law with respect to topics such as the minimum wage and occupational safety.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Select Kentucky employment requirements are summarized below to help an employer understand the range of employment laws affecting the employer-employee relationship in the state. An employer must comply with federal, state, and local law. Where there is overlap, complying with the law that offers the greatest rights or benefits to the employee will generally apply.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"eeo-diversity-employee-relations\">Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and worker protections&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Kentucky employers may be required to comply with requirements related to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/us\/resources\/hr-compliance\/discrimination\/eeo-protected-classes-by-state\/\">EEO<\/a> and worker protections. &nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"fair-employment-practices\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:500\">Fair employment practices&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">The Kentucky Civil Rights Act (KCRA) prohibits discrimination based on protected characteristics, including but not limited to:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list is-style-brightmine-list-item-spacing-small\">\n<li class=\"\">Race;&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Color;&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">National origin;&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Age;&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Religion;&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions); and&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Disability.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">The KCRA also prohibits harassment and retaliation.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">The KCRA generally applies to employers with eight or more employees, but for disability discrimination purposes, the law applies to employers with 15 or more employees.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">The Equal Opportunities Act, which applies to employers with eight or more employees, bars discrimination on the basis of physical disability, HIV, AIDS or AIDS-related complex.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"equal-pay\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:500\">Equal pay&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Under Kentucky&#8217;s equal pay law, an employer with two or more employees may not discriminate between employees in the same establishment based on sex by paying any employee in any occupation wages that are less than any employee of the opposite sex for comparable work on jobs with comparable requirements relating to skill, effort and responsibility. Wage differentials are permissible if paid according to an established seniority or merit increase system.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"pay-transparency\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:500\">Pay transparency &nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Kentucky does not have a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/us\/resources\/hr-compliance\/pay-transparency\/u-s-pay-transparency-laws-by-state-and-locality\/\">pay transparency law<\/a> applicable to private employers.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"salary-history-inquiry-restrictions\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:500\">Salary history inquiry restrictions&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Kentucky does not restrict an employer from inquiring into or relying upon an applicant&#8217;s salary history.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"employee-wage-disclosure-rights\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:500\">Employee wage disclosure rights&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Kentucky does not have a wage disclosure law applicable to private employers.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"pregnancy-accommodation\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:500\">Pregnancy accommodation&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">The Kentucky Pregnant Workers Fairness Act requires an employer with 15 or more employees in the state to provide reasonable accommodations to employees for their own limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, including lactation. A reasonable accommodation may include more frequent or longer breaks; job restructuring; and providing a private space that is not a bathroom for expressing milk.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"breastfeeding-breaks\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:500\">Breastfeeding breaks&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Kentucky law protects a woman&#8217;s right to breastfeed in &#8220;any location, public or private, where the mother is otherwise authorized to be.&#8221; The statute does not specifically mention employers, but the statute could certainly be construed to place an obligation on employers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"access-to-personnel-files\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:500\">Access to personnel files &nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Kentucky law does not require private employers to provide employees with access to their personnel files.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"whistleblower-protections\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:500\">Whistleblower protections&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Kentucky does not have a whistleblower law applicable to private employers.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"scheduling\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:500\">Scheduling&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Kentucky does not have a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/us\/resources\/hr-compliance\/state-compliance\/scheduling-laws-by-state-and-municipality\/\">scheduling law<\/a> applicable to private employers.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"recruiting-hiring\">Recruiting and hiring&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Kentucky does not currently have laws relating to credit checks, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/us\/resources\/talent-management\/talent-acquisition\/recruitment\/ban-the-box-laws-by-state\/\">ban the box<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/us\/resources\/hr-compliance\/immigration\/immigration-form-i9-work-visas-federal\/\">E-Verify<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"wage-hour\">Wage and hour&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Kentucky employers may be required to comply with certain wage and hour requirements. &nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"minimum-wage\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:500\">Minimum wage&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Kentucky&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/us\/resources\/hr-compliance\/wage-hour\/minimum-wage\/minimum-wage-rates-by-state-and-municipality\/\">minimum wage<\/a> is $7.25 an hour. If the federal minimum wage is increased, Kentucky&#8217;s minimum wage will increase by the same amount.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"overtime\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:500\">Overtime&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Kentucky&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/us\/resources\/hr-compliance\/wage-hour\/overtime\/overtime-variations-by-state\/\">overtime law<\/a> is consistent with federal law. Kentucky also requires that employees who work all seven days in a workweek be paid overtime for all hours worked on the seventh day if, by the end of that day, the employee has worked more than 40 hours in that workweek. Exceptions apply.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"meal-and-rest-breaks\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:500\">Meal and rest breaks&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Employees are entitled to a 10-minute paid <a href=\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/us\/resources\/hr-compliance\/wage-hour\/meal-and-rest-break-requirements-by-state\/\">rest break<\/a> for every four hours worked and a reasonable meal break near the middle of their shift. Employees may not be required to take their meal break before three hours or after five hours into their shift.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">In addition, minors who work at least five hours are entitled to a meal break of at least 30 minutes.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"child-labor\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:500\">Child labor&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/us\/resources\/hr-compliance\/wage-hour\/child-labor-working-hour-restrictions-by-state\/\">Child labor laws<\/a> in Kentucky restrict the occupations in which minors may be employed and the number of hours and times during which they may work.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Minors under 14 years of age generally may not be employed unless the employment is through a school-sponsored program.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Minors who are 14 or 15 years of age are prohibited from working in a variety of hazardous occupations, such as manufacturing and warehousing. They are permitted to work in certain retail, food service and gasoline service station jobs.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Minors who are 16 or 17 years old may work in most occupations except the following:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list is-style-brightmine-list-item-spacing-small\">\n<li class=\"\">Jobs in any establishment where alcoholic beverages are manufactured, bottled or sold, unless sold in packages incidental to the main business;&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Occupations in a pool or billiard room; and&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Occupations listed in federal regulations as especially hazardous to the employment of minors.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Minors who are 16 or 17 years old may work:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list is-style-brightmine-list-item-spacing-small\">\n<li class=\"\">No more than 30 hours in any workweek when school is in session (up to 40 under certain circumstances);&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">No more than six hours in any school day;&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">No more than eight hours in any nonschool day;&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Between 6 a.m. and 10:30 p.m. on days preceding a school day; and&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Between 6 a.m. and 1:00 a.m. on days preceding a nonschool day when school is in session.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Exceptions apply if a parent or legal guardian gives written permission.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Minors under the age of 16 may not work:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\">During regular school hours, unless they have graduated from high school or are enrolled in a work-training program;&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">More than 40 hours per week and eight hours per day when school is not in session;&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">More than 18 hours per week and three hours per day when school is in session;&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Before 7:00 a.m. or after 7:00 p.m. (9 p.m. from June 1 through Labor Day).&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"pay-benefits\">Pay and benefits&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Kentucky employers may be required to follow certain requirements with respect to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/us\/resources\/hr-compliance\/wage-hour\/kentucky-payroll-wage-payment-compliance-guide\/\">employee pay<\/a> and benefits. &nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"wage-payment-methods\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:500\">Wage payment methods&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Kentucky employers may pay wages in cash or with checks that are convertible into cash on demand at a bank at full face value. An employer may pay wages by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/us\/resources\/hr-compliance\/state-compliance\/direct-deposit-laws-by-state\/\">direct deposit<\/a> or payroll cards if certain conditions are met.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"pay-frequency-and-lag-time\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:500\">Pay frequency and lag time&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">All Kentucky employers doing business in the state must <a href=\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/us\/resources\/hr-compliance\/payroll\/pay-frequency-and-lag-time-requirements-by-state\/\">pay employees at least semimonthly<\/a>. Employees must be paid all wages earned no later than 18 days after the end of each pay period.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"pay-deductions\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:500\">Pay deductions&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Employers generally may make <a href=\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/us\/resources\/hr-compliance\/payroll\/deductions\/pay-deduction-laws-by-state\/\">deductions from employees&#8217; pay<\/a> that are:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list is-style-brightmine-list-item-spacing-small\">\n<li class=\"\">Authorized by local, state or federal law;&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Expressly authorized in writing by the employee to cover insurance premiums, hospital and medical dues, or certain other deductions;&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">For union dues;&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">For retirement plans; or&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">For uniforms.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"pay-statements\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:500\">Pay statements&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">An employer with 10 or more employees must provide each employee with a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/us\/resources\/hr-compliance\/payroll\/pay-statement-rate-notification-requirements-by-state\/\">pay statement<\/a> at the time wages are paid that specifically states the amount and general purpose of each deduction.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"wage-theft\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:500\">Wage theft&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Kentucky does not have a wage theft law applicable to private employers.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"health-care-continuation\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:500\">Health care continuation&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Kentucky&#8217;s health care continuation law requires fully insured Kentucky group health care plans issued to allow continuation of coverage for up to 18 months for the covered member and dependents.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"temporary-disability-insurance\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:500\">Temporary disability insurance&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Kentucky does not have requirements for private employers related to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/us\/resources\/total-rewards\/employee-benefits\/temporary-disability-insurance-requirements-by-state\/\">temporary disability insurance<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"time-off-leaves-absence\">Time off and leaves of absence&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Kentucky employers may be required to follow certain requirements with respect to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/us\/resources\/hr-compliance\/employee-leaves\/leave-laws-by-state-chart\/#kentucky-leave-laws\">time off and leaves of absence<\/a>. &nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"family-and-medical-leave\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:500\">Family and medical leave&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Kentucky does not have a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/us\/resources\/hr-compliance\/employee-leaves\/paid-family-leave-requirements-by-state\/\">state family and medical leave law<\/a> applicable to private employers.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"paid-sick-leave\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:500\">Paid sick leave&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Kentucky does not have a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/us\/resources\/hr-compliance\/employee-leaves\/paid-sick-leave-by-state\/\">state paid sick leave law<\/a> applicable to private employers.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"other-time-off-requirements\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:500\">Other time off requirements&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Kentucky has laws related to time off and leaves of absence, including but not limited to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list is-style-brightmine-list-item-spacing-small\">\n<li class=\"\">Adoption leave;&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Court attendance leave;&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/us\/resources\/hr-compliance\/employee-leaves\/kentucky-jury-duty-laws\/\">Jury duty leave<\/a>;&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/us\/resources\/hr-compliance\/employee-leaves\/voting-leave-laws-by-state\/\">Voting leave<\/a>;&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Election official leave;&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/us\/resources\/hr-compliance\/employee-leaves\/military-leave-reminders\/\">Military leave<\/a>; and&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Emergency responder leave.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"health-safety\">Health and safety&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Kentucky employers may be required to follow certain requirements with respect to employee health and safety. &nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"occupational-safety-and-health\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:500\">Occupational safety and health&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Kentucky is a State Plan state. The Kentucky Occupational Safety and Health Program applies to all employees, both private and public, except for federal government employees and employees that are under the jurisdiction of a federal agency besides OSHA, such as the Mine Safety and Health Administration or the Federal Railroad Administration.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"drug-and-alcohol-testing\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:500\">Drug and alcohol testing&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Kentucky employers may establish their own <a href=\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/us\/resources\/talent-management\/talent-acquisition\/recruitment\/drug-testing-laws-by-state\/\">drug and alcohol testing<\/a> policies and require employees and job applicants to submit to such tests as a condition of employment, as long as the testing program and subsequent actions based on test results comply with the ADA, the Kentucky Civil Rights Act, the Kentucky Equal Opportunities Act, collective bargaining agreements and other laws that protect workers from discrimination or violations of privacy.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"smokefree-workplace\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:500\">Smoke-free workplace&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">There are no requirements for private employers related to smoking in the workplace in Kentucky.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"weapons-in-the-workplace\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:500\">Weapons in the workplace&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Kentucky allows employees to keep legally concealed <a href=\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/us\/resources\/hr-compliance\/employee-safety\/guns-in-parking-lots-laws-by-state\/\">firearms and ammunition in their personal vehicle even on an employer&#8217;s property<\/a>. Employees also have the right to remove the gun from their car to defend themselves, someone else or the employee&#8217;s property.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"safe-driving-practices\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:500\">Safe driving practices&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Kentucky prohibits texting while driving.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"organizational-exit\">Organizational exit&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Kentucky employers may be required to follow certain requirements when <a href=\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/us\/resources\/hr-compliance\/disciplinary\/documentation-for-separation-of-employment-by-state\/\">employees exit the organization<\/a>. &nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"final-pay\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:500\">Final pay&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Employees who either are terminated or resign from employment must be paid in full by the later of the next normal pay period or 14 days after the termination or resignation.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">All <a href=\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/us\/resources\/hr-compliance\/wage-hour\/deceased-employee-wages-by-state\/\">wages owed to a deceased employee<\/a> must be paid to the surviving spouse or, if there is none, to surviving children or to their guardian if they are minors. Before payment can be made, a determination must be made that there is no will providing for distribution of the wages otherwise, and that the value of the estate does not exceed $30,000.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"mass-layoffs\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:500\">Mass layoffs&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Kentucky does not have its own version of the federal WARN Act.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"ai-in-employment\">AI in employment&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Kentucky does not have a law related to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/us\/resources\/hr-compliance\/ai-laws-by-state-and-locality\/\">AI in employment<\/a> applicable to private employers.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column lnrs-hide-block-on-mobile is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"border-left-color:var(--wp--preset--color--secondary-gray);border-left-width:2px;padding-left:10px;flex-basis:30%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained wp-container-2 is-position-sticky\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-secondary-gray-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-db4c44a6 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"border-radius:14px;padding-top:10px;padding-right:10px;padding-bottom:10px;padding-left:10px\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-4b827052 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<p style=\"margin-bottom:5px;font-style:normal;font-weight:400\" class=\"\">In this resource:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"margin-top:5px;margin-bottom:5px;font-size:clamp(14px, 0.875rem + ((1vw - 3.2px) * 0.274), 16px);line-height:1.3\" class=\"\"><a href=\"#eeo-diversity-employee-relations\">EEO, diversity and employee relations<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"margin-top:5px;margin-bottom:5px;font-size:clamp(14px, 0.875rem + ((1vw - 3.2px) * 0.274), 16px);line-height:1.3\" class=\"\"><a href=\"#recruiting-hiring\">Recruiting and hiring<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"margin-top:5px;margin-bottom:5px;font-size:clamp(14px, 0.875rem + ((1vw - 3.2px) * 0.274), 16px);line-height:1.3\" class=\"\"><a href=\"#wage-hour\">Wage and hour<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"margin-top:5px;margin-bottom:5px;font-size:clamp(14px, 0.875rem + ((1vw - 3.2px) * 0.274), 16px);line-height:1.3\" class=\"\"><a href=\"#pay-benefits\">Pay and benefits<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"margin-top:5px;margin-bottom:5px;font-size:clamp(14px, 0.875rem + ((1vw - 3.2px) * 0.274), 16px);line-height:1.3\" class=\"\"><a href=\"#time-off-leaves-absence\">Time off and leaves of absence<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"margin-top:5px;margin-bottom:5px;font-size:clamp(14px, 0.875rem + ((1vw - 3.2px) * 0.274), 16px);line-height:1.3\" class=\"\"><a href=\"#health-safety\">Health and safety<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"margin-top:5px;margin-bottom:5px;font-size:clamp(14px, 0.875rem + ((1vw - 3.2px) * 0.274), 16px);line-height:1.3\" class=\"\"><a href=\"#organizational-exit\">Organizational exit<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"margin-top:5px;margin-bottom:5px;font-size:clamp(14px, 0.875rem + ((1vw - 3.2px) * 0.274), 16px);line-height:1.3\" class=\"\"><a href=\"#ai-in-employment\">AI in employment<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-bleach-white-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-a36fa716 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"border-radius:14px;padding-top:10px;padding-right:15px;padding-bottom:15px;padding-left:15px\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Get the full picture. Access premium content today.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">This resource is a brief overview of state employment law. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Dig deeper with in-depth coverage of state and local employment laws in our Employment Law Guide with a FREE trial of the HR &amp; Compliance Center.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/hrcenter.us.brightmine.com\/freetrial-login\/?intcmp=hrcc-resources|premium-resources|button|hrcenterus-freetrial|start-your-free-trial\" style=\"border-radius:25px\">Take a free trial<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40)\">\n<p class=\"\"><a href=\"#top\">Go back to the top<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-primary-white-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-efae2095 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"border-radius:25px;margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-you-may-also-be-interested-in\">You may also be interested in&#8230;<\/h2>\n\n\n<section id=\"resources-search-filter\" class=\"wp-block-brightmine-resources-filter has-text-color has-primary-gray-color has-background has-primary-white-background-color\">\n\n\n<div class=\"ajax-filter\">\n<div class=\"lnrs-resources-search-filter  editor-posts-filtered-topics \">\n\t\t<div class=\"search_terms_bottom\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"bottom_left\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"search_terms_result_count\">\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"bottom_right\">\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\t<div class=\"loader-container\">\n\t\t<span class=\"loader\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/span>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\t<div class=\"lnrs-resource-filter-widget__container\">\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"lnrs-resource-hub-widget__resource\" style=\"background-color: #f3f2f0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/us\/resources\/hr-compliance\/pay-transparency\/getting-pay-transparency-right\/\"><div class=\"lnrs-resource-hub-widget__resource_image\" style=\"background-image: url(https:\/\/cdn.brightmine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/05\/27051224\/team-collaboration-outdoor-meeting-with-laptop.webp);\"><\/div><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"lnrs-resource-hub-widget__inner_content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"content-top\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"lnrs-resource-hub-widget__categories\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"lnrs-resource-hub-widget__category\">Whitepapers<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"title\" style=\"color: #00728B\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/us\/resources\/hr-compliance\/pay-transparency\/getting-pay-transparency-right\/\">Getting pay transparency right<\/a><\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"color: #000000\">Learn how to get pay transparency right with practical guidance on pay ranges, compliance requirements, and risk reduction &#8230;<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"lnrs-resource-hub-widget__resource\" style=\"background-color: #f3f2f0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/us\/resources\/hr-compliance\/immigration\/supreme-court-upholds-birthright-citizenship\/\"><div class=\"lnrs-resource-hub-widget__resource_image\" style=\"background-image: url(https:\/\/cdn.brightmine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/05\/06023911\/Fair-trial-1200x627-1.webp);\"><\/div><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"lnrs-resource-hub-widget__inner_content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"content-top\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"lnrs-resource-hub-widget__categories\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"lnrs-resource-hub-widget__category\">HR News<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"title\" style=\"color: #00728B\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/us\/resources\/hr-compliance\/immigration\/supreme-court-upholds-birthright-citizenship\/\">Supreme court upholds birthright citizenship<\/a><\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"color: #000000\">The Supreme Court upheld birthright citizenship in a 6\u20133 ruling, rejecting efforts to limit 14th Amendment protections and &#8230;<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"lnrs-resource-hub-widget__resource\" style=\"background-color: #f3f2f0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/us\/resources\/hr-compliance\/map-of-minimum-wage-rates-july-2026\/\"><div class=\"lnrs-resource-hub-widget__resource_image\" style=\"background-image: url(https:\/\/cdn.brightmine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/05\/17075552\/Business-woman-meeting-1200x627-1.webp);\"><\/div><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"lnrs-resource-hub-widget__inner_content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"content-top\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"lnrs-resource-hub-widget__categories\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"lnrs-resource-hub-widget__category\">Infographics<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"title\" style=\"color: #00728B\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/us\/resources\/hr-compliance\/map-of-minimum-wage-rates-july-2026\/\">US map of minimum wage rates effective July 2026<\/a><\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"color: #000000\">Discover where minimum wages are rising and compliance rules are changing on July 1, 2026, with our easy-to-use &#8230;<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n<\/div>\n<\/section><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-5fb0786f wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-primary-white-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-fcdab8bb wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"border-radius:25px;margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-topics-on-this-page\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:500\">Topics on this page<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-6c531013 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n\n<div class=\"taxonomy-topic has-link-color wp-elements-5ec59eb01c09ec2f1d84a6b36973ff83 wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/us\/resources\/hr-compliance\/\" rel=\"tag\">HR compliance<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/us\/resources\/hr-compliance\/state-compliance\/\" rel=\"tag\">State-by-state compliance<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-cararra-gray-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-cararra-gray-background-color has-background is-style-wide\"\/>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-about-the-author\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:500\">About the author<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-not-stacked-on-mobile is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-658170e2 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:100px\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full has-custom-border is-style-rounded\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"128\" height=\"128\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.brightmine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/03\/12085517\/Brightmine_Favicon_128px.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-681\" style=\"border-top-left-radius:500px;border-top-right-radius:500px;border-bottom-left-radius:500px;border-bottom-right-radius:500px;aspect-ratio:1;object-fit:cover\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"\"><strong>The Brightmine Editorial Team<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Our in-house team of HR experts carefully monitors and updates the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/us\/products\/hr-compliance-center\/\">Brightmine HR &amp; Compliance Center<\/a>, the most comprehensive library of employment law and HR resources. This team has an unrivaled wealth of subject matter expertise, with an average of 15 years&#8217; experience. They also bring invaluable, diverse career experiences to the table\u2014the team includes seasoned employment law attorneys, former in-house counsel, SHRM certified professionals and career employment law editors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">In addition to managing the HR &amp; Compliance Center, the Editorial Team supports the content across the Brightmine product portfolio. The Team also supports Marketing Resource Center with breaking <a href=\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/us\/category\/hr-news\/\">HR news<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/us\/category\/c-and-i\/\">Commentary and Insights<\/a>, and expert review of key compliance resources, such as our free charts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/brightmine\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Follow Brightmine on LinkedIn<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull has-primary-white-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-bbb7e64f wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-large-font-size\">Start your free trial today<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size\">Register today to gain free 7-day access to the Brightmine HR &amp; Compliance Center and stay up to date, compliant and save valuable time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-a89b3969 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-primary-white-color has-secondary-blue-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/hrcenter.us.brightmine.com\/freetrial-login\/?loggedInUrl=%2Ffreetrial%2Fnew-user%2F&amp;registrationUrl=%2Ffreetrial%2Fnew-user%2F&amp;intcmp=hrcc-resources|cta-2-col|light|banner|hrcenterus-freetrial|take-a-free-trial\" style=\"border-radius:26px\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Take a free trial<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>This Kentucky employment law overview reviews requirements employers should know if they have employees working in the state.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":6836,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"wp-custom-template-updateable-resources","categories":[13],"tags":[],"topic":[25,77],"class_list":["post-6744","resources","type-resources","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-guides-how-to","topic-hr-compliance","topic-state-compliance"],"_lnrs_read_more":"","yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.8 (Yoast SEO v27.8) - 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