Arizona Employment Law

Arizona Civil Rights Act covers employers with 15+ employees. The Employment Protection Act provides important at-will exceptions for wrongful termination.

At-Will

Yes

Right-to-Work

Yes

EEOC Deferral

300 days

Min. Wage

$15.15

Arizona State Laws (3)

ACRA

Ariz. Rev. Stat. §§ 41-1461 to 41-1468

180 days
15+ employees

Arizona's primary anti-discrimination employment statute, closely modeled on federal Title VII and the ADA. Prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, age, disability, national origin, and genetic testing results. Provides a state administrative remedy through the Arizona Attorney General's Office.

Protected Classes

racecolorreligionsexage (40+)disabilitynational origingenetic testing results

Key Provisions

  • ✓Mirrors federal Title VII protections at the state level
  • ✓Includes genetic testing results as a protected class beyond federal law
  • ✓Prohibits discrimination in hiring, promotion, discharge, compensation, and terms of employment
  • ✓Enforced by the Arizona Attorney General's Civil Rights Division
  • ✓Filing a charge with the state preserves right to file with the EEOC

Remedies

Back payReinstatementCompensatory damagesInjunctive reliefAttorney fees and costs
File with: Arizona Attorney General's Office, Civil Rights Division180 days

AZ EPA

Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 23-1501

365 days
1+ employees

Codifies Arizona's at-will employment doctrine while establishing important statutory exceptions for wrongful termination. Employees may bring a claim if they were fired in violation of public policy, in breach of an implied employment contract, or in retaliation for protected activities such as filing workers' compensation claims.

Key Provisions

  • ✓Codifies at-will employment with statutory exceptions
  • ✓Prohibits termination in retaliation for workers' compensation claims
  • ✓Prohibits termination for refusing to commit an illegal act
  • ✓Prohibits termination in violation of the terms of an employment contract
  • ✓Provides a cause of action for wrongful termination in violation of public policy
  • ✓Prevailing party may recover attorney fees

Remedies

Lost wages and benefitsCompensatory damagesPunitive damages in some circumstancesAttorney fees to the prevailing party
File with: Private lawsuit (state court)1 year for wrongful discharge claims

AZ Wage Act

Ariz. Rev. Stat. §§ 23-350 to 23-364

365 days
1+ employees

Governs wage payment requirements in Arizona, including the timing and manner of wage payments, minimum wage, and earned paid sick time. Provides employees with a mechanism to recover unpaid wages and establishes penalties for employers who fail to pay wages on time.

Key Provisions

  • ✓Requires employers to pay wages at least twice per month
  • ✓Sets the state minimum wage, which is adjusted annually for inflation
  • ✓Requires earned paid sick time for all employees
  • ✓Imposes treble damages for willful failure to pay wages
  • ✓Protects employees from retaliation for wage complaints

Remedies

Unpaid wagesTreble damages (three times unpaid wages) for willful withholdingAttorney fees and costsCivil penalties
File with: Arizona Industrial Commission or private lawsuit1 year for unpaid wage claims

Federal Laws That Apply in Arizona

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

Title VII15+ employees
300 days
ADA15+ employees
300 days
ADEA20+ employees
300 days
EPA1+ employees
730 days
PDA15+ employees
300 days
PWFA15+ employees
300 days
FMLA50+ employees
730 days
FLSA1+ employees
730 days
Section 19811+ employees
1460 days
GINA15+ employees
300 days
USERRA1+ employees
— days
NLRA1+ employees
180 days
OSH Act1+ employees
30 days
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 Arizona

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.Arizona laws are subject to legislative changes. Consult a qualified employment attorney in Arizona for advice about your specific situation. Last reviewed: February 2025.