---
title: Guide to Kentucky employee benefits and HR rules | PeopleKeep
description: Navigating Kentucky employment laws and employee benefits can be complex. This guide gives you all the information you need to be compliant in Kentucky.
image: https://www.peoplekeep.com/hubfs/Kentucky-employee-benefits-and-HR-rules.jpg
---

# Guide to Kentucky employee benefits and HR rules

If you’re a business owner who has just opened shop or employed someone in Kentucky, you and your HR team must familiarize yourself with the state’s employment laws and mandatory employee benefits. Understanding the necessary rules and regulations will help you stay compliant in The Bluegrass State. Learn more about the state’s employment laws with our guide below.

Are you looking for easy-to-manage benefits to help you comply with federal and Kentucky benefits laws? PeopleKeep can help! Schedule a free consultation with a personalized benefits advisor.

[TALK TO SALES ](https://www.peoplekeep.com/contact-sales)

![Kentucky-PK](https://www.peoplekeep.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Kentucky-PK.png?width=800&height=800&name=Kentucky-PK.png "Kentucky-PK")

## Is your organization compliant with Kentucky's employment laws?

If your company is Kentucky-based or you employ Kentucky workers, learning everything you need to know about HR compliance in the state is vital. This guide will provide a basic overview of Kentucky's employment and benefits regulations for small and medium-sized businesses.

### Topics covered in this guide include:

- [What are employment laws in Kentucky?](https://www.peoplekeep.com/resources/kentucky-hr-compliance#employment-laws)
- [What are employees’ rights in Kentucky?](https://www.peoplekeep.com/resources/kentucky-hr-compliance#employee-rights)
- [Required and non-required employee benefits in Kentucky](https://www.peoplekeep.com/resources/kentucky-hr-compliance#employee-benefits)
- [Health insurance in Kentucky](https://www.peoplekeep.com/resources/kentucky-hr-compliance#health-insurance)
- [Wage laws in Kentucky](https://www.peoplekeep.com/resources/kentucky-hr-compliance#wage-laws)

## What are employment laws in Kentucky?

The federal government sets minimum benefits and HR requirements for employers nationwide. But many states create their own employment laws that are an addition to federal regulations—and Kentucky is no exception.

Before opening or expanding your business in Kentucky, you should familiarize yourself with state employment laws.

**In Kentucky, employers must follow several state-specific laws in addition to federal employment laws, such as:**

- At-will employment
- [Kentucky Civil Rights Act](https://kchr.ky.gov/About/Pages/Kentucky-Civil-Rights-Act.aspx) (KCRA)
- [Right-to-Work Laws](https://casetext.com/statute/kentucky-revised-statutes/title-27-labor-and-human-rights/chapter-336-labor-cabinet/labor-cabinet/section-336130-employees-may-organize-bargain-collectively-strike-picket-protection-of-employees-conduct-prohibited-effect-of-violence-or-injury-to-person-or-property)
- [Kentucky Pregnant Workers Fairness Act](https://louisville.edu/hr/forms/kentucky-pregnant-workers-act#:~:text=The%20Kentucky%20Pregnant%20Workers%20Act,childbirth%2C%20and%20related%20medical%20conditions.)
- [Kentucky Child Labor Laws](https://elc.ky.gov/workplace-standards/Pages/Wages-and-Hours.aspx#:~:text=FORMULARIO%20DE%20QUEJA-,Kentucky%20Child%20Labor%20Law,-Working%20Hours)
- [Kentucky Equal Pay Law](https://casetext.com/statute/kentucky-revised-statutes/title-27-labor-and-human-rights/chapter-337-wages-and-hours/wage-discrimination-because-of-sex)
- [Workplace Drug Testing Laws](https://kchr.ky.gov/About/Pages/FAQs.aspx)
- [Kentucky Whistleblower Act](https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/statutes/statute.aspx?id=40158)
- [Reporting Laws](https://casetext.com/statute/kentucky-revised-statutes/title-35-domestic-relations/chapter-405-parent-and-child/administrative-process-for-child-support/section-405435-effective-until-712025-information-from-employers-and-labor-organizations-upon-hiring-of-kentucky-residents-use-of-information-by-cabinet-in-matters-of-paternity-and-child-support-fine-for-noncompliance-hearing)

Now that we’ve reviewed a few Kentucky-specific laws, we’ll review the state’s employee rights.

## What are employees’ rights in Kentucky?

Employees in Kentucky have many rights under state and federal law. Regardless of your organization's size, you must know your employees' rights if you have or plan to hire employees in the state.

**Some state rights include:**

- Fair wages
- Meal periods
- [Rest periods](https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/statutes/statute.aspx?id=49845)
- Weapons in the Workplace
- [Medical examinations](https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/statutes/statute.aspx?id=32022)
- [The Kentucky Safety and Health (OSH) Program](https://elc.ky.gov/workplace-standards/Pages/Occupational-Safety-and-Health-Program.aspx)
- State continuation of health coverage under Kentucky law

## Required and non-required employee benefits in Kentucky

All companies must follow federal regulations regarding certain employee benefits. But some benefits required in one state may not be required in others. Let’s look at Kentucky's required and non-required employee benefits in the chart below.

| **Benefit type** | **What's required** |
| --- | --- |
| **[Workplace accommodations](https://extranet.personnel.ky.gov/Pages/ADA-StatePlan.aspx)** | Employers must make reasonable accommodations for job seekers or employees with physical or mental disabilities unless it would impose an undue hardship. |
| **Family or medical leave** | Employers are not required to provide paid or unpaid family or medical leave beyond what the federal [Family and Medical Leave Act](https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/fmla) (FMLA) requires. |
| **Military leave** | Employees in the military must receive the same benefits regarding leave outlined in the [Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act](https://www.dol.gov/agencies/vets/programs/userra/aboutuserra) (USERRA). Kentucky National Guard members must also receive unlimited unpaid leave for training or active duty. Employers must reinstate these employees to their original position once their leave is complete. |
| **Paid sick leave** | Employers are not required to provide paid sick leave outside of what the FMLA requires. |
| **[Bereavement leave](https://www.peoplekeep.com/blog/guide-to-bereavement-leave)** | Employers are not required to provide bereavement leave. |
| **Voting leave** | Employees must receive time off to vote as long as they request leave at least one day in advance. Employers may specify the hours employees can vote if their request is during their scheduled shift. They can also choose to offer either paid or unpaid leave. |
| **Jury duty leave** | Employees must receive time off to respond to a jury summons. Leave can be paid or unpaid. Employers can’t require an employee to use vacation time to attend jury duty. |
| **[Workers' compensation insurance](https://elc.ky.gov/Workers-Compensation/Pages/default.aspx)** | The Kentucky Workers' Compensation Act requires that all employers with one or more employees carry workers' compensation insurance. |
| **[Unemployment benefits](https://kcc.ky.gov/career/If-you-are-Unemployed/Pages/default.aspx)** | Employers are required to pay Kentucky unemployment insurance (UI) tax. The Kentucky Office of Employment and Training (OET) provides unemployment benefits and income to individuals who have lost work through no fault of their own. |
| **Holiday leave** | Employers are not required to provide holiday leave. |
| **Vacation leave** | Employers are not required to provide paid vacation time.  If they decide to offer [paid time off (PTO)](https://www.peoplekeep.com/blog/what-is-pto), it can be structured however they decide. |

 

## Health insurance coverage in Kentucky

Like in many other states, if you’re a business owner in Kentucky with fewer than 50 workers, you aren’t required to provide health insurance benefits. But if you employ 50 or more [full-time equivalent employees ](https://www.peoplekeep.com/blog/fte-calculation)(FTEs), you must offer health insurance that meets [minimum essential coverage](https://www.peoplekeep.com/blog/what-is-minimum-essential-coverage-mec) (MEC) to satisfy the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) employer mandate.

Even if you don’t have to offer health benefits by law, it’s a great way to help your business stay competitive and attract talented employees. But [traditional group health insurance](https://www.peoplekeep.com/blog/pros-and-cons-of-group-health-insurance) can come with high premiums, annual rate hikes, and strict participation requirements that many businesses may be unable to manage.

Let’s look at the numbers. Small group health plan premiums in some Kentucky counties can cost as much as [$652 per employee per month](http://analytics.ideonapi.com/veristat/hra/lowest-premiums-map/2023/). In comparison, the average monthly premium for a 40-year-old with a silver individual health plan can be as low as [$479](https://www.valuepenguin.com/average-cost-of-health-insurance). This makes covering the cost of individual health plans in Kentucky more affordable for small to medium size businesses.

If you find that individual health insurance premiums are more affordable than group premiums in your county in Kentucky, you can leverage a [health reimbursement arrangement](https://www.peoplekeep.com/health-reimbursement-arrangement-hra?hsLang=en) (HRA) or a [health stipend](https://www.peoplekeep.com/blog/stipend-in-lieu-of-health-insurance) to cover the cost of individual health plan premiums instead of offering a group health insurance plan.

### Health reimbursement arrangement (HRA)

An HRA is a flexible health benefit owned and funded by the employer. It allows you to reimburse your employees, tax-free, for their individual health insurance premiums and eligible [out-of-pocket expenses](https://www.peoplekeep.com/hra-eligible-expenses).

With an HRA, your employees choose the individual health insurance plan that suits their medical needs and budget. They can shop for a plan using a [private exchange](https://www.peoplekeep.com/blog/public-vs-private-health-insurance-exchanges) or through Kentucky’s health insurance marketplace, [Kynect](https://kynect.ky.gov/s/?language=en_US).

HRAs offer many advantages for employers. They’re more customizable than group health insurance plans, have no annual rate hikes or participation requirements, and can help you control your budget by allowing you to choose your preferred monthly allowance amount.

Some HRAs, like the [qualified small employer HRA](https://www.peoplekeep.com/qualified-small-employer-hra-qsehra) (QSHERA), are only for employers with fewer than 50 FTEs. But others, such as the [individual coverage HRA](https://www.peoplekeep.com/individual-coverage-hra-ichra?hsLang=en) (ICHRA), are made for employers of all sizes and can even satisfy the federal regulations for [applicable large employers](https://www.peoplekeep.com/health-benefits/applicable-large-employers) (ALEs). This flexibility makes an HRA suitable for all categories of employers.

### Learn more about each HRA

### **QSEHRA**

*For employers with 1-49 employees*

 

A simple, controlled-cost alternative to group health insurance.

 

**[LEARN MORE](https://www.peoplekeep.com/product/qsehra)**

### **ICHRA**

*For employers of all sizes*

 

A flexible health benefit that can be used alone or alongside group health insurance.

 

**[LEARN MORE](https://www.peoplekeep.com/product/ichra)**

### **GCHRA**

*For employers offering group health insurance*

 

A group health supplement to help employees with out-of-pocket expenses.

 

**[LEARN MORE](https://www.peoplekeep.com/product/gchra)**

### Health and wellness stipends

With a health stipend, you can offer your employees a fixed amount of money they can use on healthcare items, services, and insurance premiums. A health stipend isn't a formal group health plan, so you have complete control over which expenses are eligible for reimbursement and aren’t subject to many IRS compliance regulations.

You can offer as much stipend allowance as your budget allows, and employees can purchase the medical items that work for them and their families. This makes stipends a more personalized option than group health insurance and flexible enough to accommodate all your employees’ needs.

Stipends are a taxable health benefit, but they’re also customizable. For example, small to medium-sized companies looking for a benefit that covers other expenses, like mental health counseling and gym memberships, can do so with a [wellness stipend](https://www.peoplekeep.com/blog/health-vs-wellness-stipends).

Offering a health and wellness stipend together gives your employees greater coverage for their [overall well-being and happiness](https://www.peoplekeep.com/blog/four-ways-to-keep-your-employees-healthy-and-happy).

### Learn all about employee stipends with our ultimate guide

[LEARN MORE ](https://www.peoplekeep.com/employee-stipends)

## Wage laws in Kentucky

Wages in Kentucky are subject to various state laws. We've compiled the most important requirements to know below.

### Minimum wage laws

The minimum wage in Kentucky is $7.25 an hour, which is also the federal minimum wage. Should the federal minimum wage rate rise in the future, Kentucky will raise its minimum wage to match it.

All employers must meet the minimum wage rate. It’s illegal for employers to pay employees with disabilities, trainees, apprentices, and student learners and workers a lower wage rate the standard minimum wage.

### Tipped wages

Employers can pay their tipped employees $2.13 per hour. However, they must ensure the employee’s hourly wage plus tips equals the minimum wage rate of $7.25 per hour. If the combined amount doesn’t reach the minimum wage rate, the employer must make up the difference.

Additionally, employers can’t require their employees to participate in tip pooling or sharing, which distributes a worker’s tips among other employees. An employer may inform employees that tip sharing is an option and explain how it works. After that, employees can choose if they want to participate.

### Workweek

Kentucky defines a workweek as a recurring period of 168 hours or seven consecutive 24-hour periods. Individual employers can decide when their workweek begins and set different workweeks for different employee groups. They aren’t required to align their workweek with the calendar week.

Employers are also free to determine how many hours an individual must work to be a full-time or part-time employee.

### Hours worked

According to Kentucky wage and hour laws, employees must pay their employees based on their total hours worked. This includes a variety of instances, such as work performed during an employee’s regular shift, outside their regular shift, or away from the employer’s workplace.

**Hours worked include the following situations:**

- **Waiting time:** Depending on the situation, employers must pay for the time employees spend waiting to work. Some examples are a truck driver waiting for their coworker to load their delivery vehicle or a factory worker waiting for vital machinery repairs.
- **On-call time:** Employers must pay on-call employees if they must stay near the employer’s premises and can’t conduct personal business. On-call employees who leave the premises and have time to themselves are off-duty for compensation purposes, so employers aren’t required to pay them.
- **Sleeping time:** Employers must count sleeping time as hours worked if the employee is on-call while sleeping. Individuals in these positions may be domestic services workers like nannies or caregivers. Because it’s difficult to separate on- and off-duty hours in these cases, the employer and employee must come to a mutual agreement beforehand to determine how they will calculate sleeping time.
- **Travel time:** Employers must pay employees that travel as part of their regular job, such as business trips and traveling between job sites or offices during the day. This excludes regular commuting to and from work.
- **Meeting, lecture, and training time:** Employers must pay for employees' time at meetings, training, and other similar activities. Employers are exempt from paying if the meeting or training takes place outside the employee’s regular shift, attendance is voluntary, the event isn’t role-specific, and the employee can’t work during the event.

Employers aren’t required to pay employees for showing up for their shifts if they perform no work, or the employer dismisses them before their scheduled shift ends.

### Regular pay rate

Employers can change an employee’s regular pay rate. But they must inform the employee of the change before they complete any work at the new rate. The change can’t be retroactive or made without notifying the employee.

### Overtime pay

Similar to federal overtime rules, Kentucky law requires employers to pay their employees 1.5 times their regular rate when they work in excess of 40 hours in a given workweek and for any hours worked on the seventh day if an employee works seven days in a workweek.

There are no laws prohibiting employers from requiring their employees to work overtime and no limit to the number of hours they can require them to work in a day.

Some employees exempt from overtime laws are those working in sales or retail stores, administrative workers, salaried professional employees with specialized skills, and employees working in restaurants, hotels, or motels.

### Prevailing wages

While Kentucky doesn’t have a prevailing wage law, Kentucky employees may be eligible to receive prevailing wages if they work on government-funded projects or perform certain government services. Prevailing wages may differ from the federal minimum wage depending on the employment contract or project.

### Pay deductions

Employers are only allowed to make pay deductions in certain situations.

**Eligible deductions Kentucky employers may make include from an employee’s paycheck include:**

- Deductions required by local, state, or federal law, such as taxes, Social Security, court orders, and wage garnishments
- Deductions detailed in written agreements between the employer and employee, such as health and life insurance premiums, hospital and medical bills, and union dues.

**Employers may not withhold or deduct wages from an employee’s paycheck for:**

- Personal fines
- Cash shortages in a till, cash box, or register if used by two or more employees
- breakage
- Losses due to acceptance of a bad check
- Losses due to a defective item
- Lost, stolen, or damaged property
- Default or nonpayment to a customer for goods or services if the loss wasn’t intentional by the employee

### Pay frequency

All Kentucky employers must pay their employees at least twice a month and no later than 18 days after the end of each pay period. Any employee who misses their scheduled payment, for whatever reason, must receive their unpaid wages within six days of requesting them.

### Payment methods

**Under Kentucky law, an employer may pay wages by:**

- Cash
- Payable checks
- Direct deposit
- Payroll card account

### Pay statements and recordkeeping

Employers with ten or more employees must provide each employee with a pay statement at the end of each pay period. It must include an itemized list of all deductions and their general purpose.

Additionally, all employers must keep [records](https://casetext.com/statute/kentucky-revised-statutes/title-27-labor-and-human-rights/chapter-337-wages-and-hours/minimum-wages/section-337320-record-to-be-kept-by-employer) showing the wages paid to each employee each pay period, the number of hours they worked each pay period, and other relevant information for authorized individuals upon request.

### Final pay

Once an employee leaves an organization for any reason, employers must pay all their final wages and benefits no later than their next scheduled payday or within 14 days after separation, whichever is later.

Employers aren’t required to provide severance pay unless otherwise stated in the worker’s conditions of employers or contract.

 FAQ

## Frequently asked questions

### What is the minimum wage in Kentucky?

The minimum wage in Kentucky is $7.25 an hour, which is also the federal minimum wage. Should the federal minimum wage rate rise in the future, Kentucky will raise its minimum wage to match it.

### What employers are subject to the Kentucky Civil Rights Act?

The Act covers all public and private employers with eight or more employees in twenty or more calendar weeks in the current or previous calendar year. For employment discrimination issues due to disability or pregnancy, the employer must have at least 15 or more employees in 20 or more calendar weeks in the current or previous calendar year.

### How many hours must Kentucky employees work to be full-time?

Unlike other states, no Kentucky laws outline the number of hours an individual must work to be a full- or part-time employee. Individual employers can determine what is a full-time or part-time position.

There also aren’t any laws prohibiting employers from requiring employees to work overtime.

### Do I have to offer health insurance in Kentucky?

No. However, the federal government requires organizations with 50 or more full-time equivalent employees to provide health insurance that meets [minimum essential coverage](https://www.peoplekeep.com/blog/what-is-minimum-essential-coverage-mec) (MEC).

[Learn more about the requirements for applicable large employers](https://www.peoplekeep.com/health-benefits/applicable-large-employers)

![Small-business-employee-benefits-humaaans](https://www.peoplekeep.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Small-business-employee-benefits-humaaans.png?width=400&height=400&name=Small-business-employee-benefits-humaaans.png "Small-business-employee-benefits-humaaans")

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