Why isn't there more laws to protect employees?

Question

What about required breaks and lunch periods? (most states have no requirements on this)
What about limited number of daily worked hours? (no limits on this)
What about higher pay if you do not wish to receive health ins. or retirement benefits? (this saves the employer a lot of money if you don't take them)
What about a law against hiring new hires for the same positions as long term employees, then turning around and laying the long term ones off because they get paid more? (they do it all the time)
What about requirements to sign sheets against unions in order to get hired? (this should not be legal)
What about firing someone because of "heresay" or tattletales, but no real evidence? (they do this all the time too)
Workers need more protection! They keep the businesses going, they are the only way the companies can survive, but are treated like basic trash.

Answer 1

Labor is way too expensive in the U.S. that is why stuff made in other countries is cheaper. Labor in the US gets high pay, lots of benefits and some even retirement plans. US automakers have to give their workers 100 grand just to fire them. Can you imagine having to pay someone lazy 100 grand just to get rid of them!? On top of that, it is cheaper to pay them 100 grand than to keep them!

Answer 2

I'm curious what state you work in and who is providing you with your information. I have been a HR manager for over 10 years and can assure you that there are rules regarding breaks taken for hours worked determined by the Federal Wage and Hour board.
Companies don't offer higher base compensation for not takin benefits for several reasons. Many people, if given the choice would opt for higer pay and neglect health coverage - employers provide health insurance to ensure that they have a healthy and viable workforce. Also, if an employee opted for the higher rate in lieu of benefits, but decided a few years later that he wants the benefits after all, it's very difficult for that person to now accept a pay cut to obtain the benefits. Many companies, instead, offer opt-out credits (basically a portion of what they would have paid towards an employee's benefit costs), however these are separate from base compensation. There are many other reasons too, but these are some of the most significant.
Many of your other items are covered by the "Employment at Will" clause that protects employers, and theoretically, also the employees. Simply, it states that the employer has not obligation to continue anyone's employment and maintains the right to end the employment relationship at any time, without notice, and without providing a reason. An employee maintains these same rights - to quit whenever they want to, without notice, and without providing a reason. These laws provide the basis for an employer to terminate employees for "any" reason. While too often companies do terminate the high wage earners in favor of cheaper labor, you will likely not find any companies that specifically cite that reason.
Sometimes an employer doesn't seek a reason to terminate an employee, instead, they can't find compelling reason to continue their employment. Again, heresay and tattletale stories are rarely cited as the reason for termination, but certainly can tip the scales against someone.

Today's markets are more competitive than ever and many companies aren't willing to put up with as much as they once did. Employer loyalty has deminished on both sides of the fence. If an employee is not contributing to the companies success, they become a liability and a non-revenue generating expense that is often thrown out and replaced - like a pen that has run out of ink. It doesn't make it right, but it is reality.

Answer 3

Part of the reason laws haven't been made to treat all employers like slaves of the government is because ours is a free-enterprise system instead of a communist system. If you like communism better than laissez-faire, you can either vote for communists here in America or you can move. Take your pick.

Answer 4

One word, repuglicans. To add repuglicans are not for the worker they are for the company's and that is just the way it is.

Answer 5

new york state does