5 Legal Rights Every Employee Should Know About

As an employee, it’s important that you know your rights so that you’re not taken advantage of. With that being said, not every employee is aware of what rights they have when it comes to protecting themselves, especially within the workplace.

In this guide, we’ll share five legal rights every employee should know about to protect themselves from.

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1. A safe workplace

A safe workplace is important when it comes to your health and well-being. Every employer, according to The Occupational Safety and Health Act, otherwise known as the OSH Act for short, should provide a safe and healthy work environment. 

This means including the necessary safety equipment and training that protects its employees from being harmed in the workplace.

Where an employer is in breach of this, it’s useful for an employee to know their rights and what potential legal action they may be able to pursue through a firm like Schweickert Ganassin Krzak Rundio, LLP.

2. Freedom from discrimination

Freedom from discrimination is certainly important, and one that everyone should feel is being respected, regardless of the company that they work for.

Federal laws are in place to ensure discrimination based on national origin, race, color, sex, religion, age, or disability is prohibited. Employers can therefore not discriminate in hiring, firing, or promoting individuals in the workplace.

Again, if this is something that’s experienced, seeking legal help is strongly advised.

3. Family and medical leave

The Family and Medical Leave Act, or FMLA for short, allows employees who are eligible the right to take unpaid and job-protected leave for certain reasons, whether it’s to do with their family or medical. 

Medical reasons might be the birth of a child or the experience of a serious illness within their immediate family.

4. Freedom from retaliation

There are various acts in place, like the National Labor Relations Act, that protect employees from any potential retaliation when engaging in protected activities.

So, if you ever find yourself in the position where you need to report a workplace violation, this law is in place to help protect you from any repercussions that might be unfairly thrown your way.

Participating in investigations as well as exercising other legal rights is also included. It’s good that as an employee you feel protected if you want to voice something that is happening and that’s wrong.

5. Fair wages

This is a given, but unfortunately, some businesses and employers are still trying to treat employees unfairly when it comes to wages.

The Fair Labor Standards Act also sets the standards when it comes to minimum wage, recordkeeping, and overtime pay.

Employees are entitled to be paid at least the minimum wage for all hours that are worked. This includes overtime pay for hours worked over forty in a working week.

These legal rights are something to be fully aware of so that you can get help and support if you feel like the rights you have in the workplace have been violated in some way, however minor.