In the United States, federal laws primarily determine the level of benefits that employers provide to their employees.  These benefits achieve many purposes including offering economic security to employees (e.g., retirement benefits) or promoting employee well-being and reducing absenteeism (e.g., health insurance).

Federal law imposes a number of rights on the employees.  Some touch on employee time off for voting, serving jury duty or dealing with family or medical issues.  Others require employee participation in workers compensation, unemployment, and disability insurance programs.