As an employee, you hold many rights that you are probably not even aware of. These rights are enacted and protected by various state and federal legislation. It is important to know your rights so that you can be sure that these rights are being protected in your workplace.
While employment law can often be very nuanced and complex, and may also vary state to state there are certain basic rights that all employees have in their workplace. These basic rights include things like, the right to privacy, fair compensation, and the right to be free from discrimination. Even prior to being hired, an applicant for a job has the right to be free from discrimination based on age, gender, race or religion; making it improper for employers to even ask questions certain questions during the hiring process.
Once employed, employees have other important rights, such as freedom from discrimination and freedom from all types of harassment in the workplace. Employees also have the right to fair wages and a safe working environment that is free from dangerous conditions, toxic substances and other safety hazards. Employees also have the right to be free from retaliation for filing any type of a complaint against an employer for a violation of the employee’s rights.
There are several key pieces of federal legislation which are designed to protect employees and ensure they’re rights are being enforced. These include Title VII, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, which help to protect employees from discrimination based on race, gender, age, and disability. The Fair Labor Standards Act and the Family Medical Leave Act also protect employees by providing regulations on the number of hours worked, breaks, overtime and salaries, as well as leave of absences for medical purposes.
These are just a few of the laws and regulations protecting the rights of employees in the workplace. If you feel that your employee rights have been violated it is important to consult with an experienced employment law attorney to determine your potential remedies and appropriate courses of action.
Source: Findlaw.com, Employee Rights 101, accessed Feb. 6, 2018.