Whether you’re fresh out of college or you’ve been navigating the work world for over a decade already, it’s essential to know all the ins and outs of employment law. If you don’t, you won’t know how to identify a hostile work environment, understand unfair dismissal, and various other legal employment conflicts.
So we have rounded up some of the most important employee rights that every professional should know.
The Right To Keep Copies Of All Documents
There’s a good chance you needed to sift through and sign a stack of paperwork when you started your job. But if you didn’t hold onto copies of these documents, you might not know if you have signed a non-compete agreement that forbids you from working for competitors. You might also be unaware of your leave entitlements, overtime compensation, employee benefits, and various other specifics.
Beyond the importance of keeping copies of your employment documents, you are legally entitled to request copies of any documents signed by you from your employer at any time.
The Right To Protest Or Complain
Have you ever wondered why workplace protests aren’t interjected before or as they start? That’s because all employees have the right to protest and complain about unfair treatment. With this, employees can organize protests alongside unions to demand fair pay, end workplace hostility, stop excessive work-hour expectations, and more. Employers can only step in when protests progress from peaceful to problematic.
The Right To Equal Pay
The gender pay gap is, unfortunately, still a widespread issue; it’s not uncommon for men to be paid a lot more than women and minorities for the same job. However, employees obtain the legal right to demand equal pay for equal work. The Equal Pay Act of 1963 protects all genders to ensure equal pay for all.
If you are receiving lower pay than your male counterparts, you can consult an employment lawyer at HKM.com. An attorney will efficiently guide you through the complex process of filing reports and building a case against your employer.
The Right To A Safe Work Environment
Workplace health and safety acts aim to ensure all employees can work within a safe and secure environment. Employers are required by law to meet certain health and safety standards while also providing compensation when workplace injuries are relevant.
When employers don’t provide a safe environment and offer compensation when necessary, employees can take legal action. Moreover, employees also have the right to leave dangerous work environments due to safety concerns.
The Right To Fair Treatment
The Americans with Disabilities Act, Civil Right Act, Pregnancy Discrimination Act, Fair Labor Standards Act, and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act are just a few laws that exist to ensure all employees receive fair treatment at work, regardless of age, race, gender, religious-orientation, disability, or other.
Employment laws aim to protect the best interests of employers and employees alike. When these standards are bothered by either party, employment lawyers can step in to help rectify the conflict and pursue relevant compensation.
