Is Alaska an at-will employment state?

Yes, Alaska is an at-will employment state, meaning employers can generally terminate employees for any lawful reason. However, Alaska recognizes exceptions for discrimination, retaliation, and public policy violations.

What is the EEOC filing deadline in Alaska?

Alaska is an EEOC deferral state, so the filing deadline for most federal discrimination charges is extended to 300 days from the date of the alleged violation.

What is the minimum wage in Alaska?

The minimum wage in Alaska is $13.00.

What is the main employment discrimination law in Alaska?

AK HRL (Alaska Stat. §§ 18.80.010-18.80.300) is Alaska's primary employment protection law. It covers employers with 1+ employees and protects against discrimination based on race, religion, color, national origin, age, and more.

Alaska Employment Law

Alaska Human Rights Law covers all employers with 1+ employees and provides broad protections including marital status, pregnancy, and parenthood.

At-Will

Yes

Right-to-Work

EEOC Deferral

300 days

Min. Wage

$13.00

Alaska State Laws (5)

AK HRL

Alaska Stat. §§ 18.80.010-18.80.300

180 days

1+ employees

Alaska's comprehensive anti-discrimination statute that prohibits employment discrimination based on a wide range of protected classes. Covers all employers with one or more employees, making it one of the broadest state employment discrimination laws in terms of employer coverage.

Protected Classes

racereligioncolornational originagesexphysical or mental disabilitymarital statuschanges in marital statuspregnancyparenthood

Key Provisions

✓No minimum employee threshold — covers all employers
✓Broad list of protected classes including marital status, changes in marital status, pregnancy, and parenthood
✓Prohibits discrimination in hiring, firing, promotion, compensation, and terms of employment
✓Covers employment agencies and labor organizations as well as employers
✓Administrative complaints must be filed with the Alaska State Commission for Human Rights

Remedies

Cease and desist ordersBack payReinstatement or hiringCompensatory damagesAttorney fees and costsInjunctive relief

File with: Alaska State Commission for Human Rights180 days

AK Jury Service Protection

Alaska Stat. § 09.20.037

730 days

1+ employees

Prohibits employers from threatening, intimidating, or terminating employees because of jury service.

Key Provisions

✓Prohibits employers from threatening, intimidating, or terminating employees because of jury service.

Remedies

Civil action — damagesattorney feespossibly punitive

File with: State court (private right of action)2 years

AK Personnel File Inspection

Alaska Stat. § 23.10.430

— days

1+ employees

Grants employees and former employees the right to inspect their own personnel files maintained by employer. Right extends to former employees for reasonable period after separation.

Key Provisions

✓Grants employees and former employees the right to inspect their own personnel files maintained by employer. Right extends to former employees for reasonable period after separation.

Remedies

Limited; primarily declaratory or injunctive

File with: State courtNot specified

AK Wage and Hour

Alaska Stat. §§ 23.10.050 to 23.10.150

730 days

4+ employees

Sets state minimum wage indexed to CPI ($11.73/hour as of 2024). Overtime at 1.5x for hours over 8 in a day or 40 in a week (daily OT — stricter than FLSA). Anti-retaliation provision.

Protected Classes

minimum_wageovertime

Key Provisions

✓Sets state minimum wage indexed to CPI ($11.73/hour as of 2024). Overtime at 1.5x for hours over 8 in a day or 40 in a week (daily OT — stricter than FLSA). Anti-retaliation provision.

Remedies

Unpaid wagesliquidated damages equal to unpaid amountattorney fees

File with: Alaska Department of Labor & Workforce Development, Labor Standards & Safety2 years (3 years willful)

AK Whistleblower (Public Employees)

Alaska Stat. §§ 39.90.100 to 39.90.150

730 days

1+ employees

Protects public employees who report violations of law, gross waste of public funds, or substantial dangers to public health/safety. Prohibits adverse employment actions in retaliation.

Protected Classes

fraud_reporting

Key Provisions

✓Protects public employees who report violations of law, gross waste of public funds, or substantial dangers to public health/safety. Prohibits adverse employment actions in retaliation.

Remedies

Reinstatementback paylost benefitscompensatory damagescivil penalty up to $10K against violatorattorney fees

File with: Alaska State Personnel Board; state court2 years

Federal Laws That Apply in Alaska

These federal statutes protect workers nationwide, including in Alaska. As a deferral state, the EEOC filing deadline is extended to 300 days for most claims.

Title VII15+ employees

Section 19811+ employees

WARN Act100+ employees

— days

Rehabilitation Act1+ employees

300 days

SOX Section 8061+ employees

180 days

INA Section 1324b4+ employees

180 days

Check which laws apply to your situation in Alaska

Our free assessment identifies applicable federal, state, and local protections based on your specific circumstances.

Check My Rights

This information is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.Alaska laws are subject to legislative changes. Consult a qualified employment attorney in Alaska for advice about your specific situation. Last reviewed: March 2026.