There are a set of unspoken rules that everyone is expected to follow in any workplace. But what happens when those rules are broken? Are employees protected by law from retaliation? What recourse do they have if they feel they’ve been wrongfully terminated or discriminated against? This article will explore the crucial workplace rights that all employees should be aware of.
The right to be free from retaliation for speaking up about illegal or unethical behavior:
Whistleblowing is the act of reporting illegal or unethical behavior by one’s employer to a third party. It’s a brave thing to do and can often be risky, as employees are often worried about being retaliated against by their employer. However, whistleblowing is protected by law in the United States, meaning that employers cannot retaliate against employees for speaking up about illegal or unethical behavior. If you’re considering blowing the whistle on your employer, it’s important to know your rights and what protections you have.
The right to a safe and healthy workplace:
All employees have the right to a safe and healthy workplace. This includes being free from hazards that could cause injury, illness, or death. It also means having access to necessary safety equipment and being properly trained on how to use it. If you feel your workplace is unsafe, you have the right to file a complaint with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
In addition, if you are injured while at work, you are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. Workers’ compensation is a type of insurance that provides benefits to employees who are injured or become ill as a result of their job. Benefits can include medical expenses, income replacement, and death benefits. If you are injured or become ill at work, it’s important to report the injury to your employer as soon as possible and to seek medical attention.
If your employer is not able to provide a safe and healthy workplace, you may want to consider talking to a workers’ compensation attorney. A workers’ compensation attorney can help you file a workers’ compensation claim and can advise you of your rights under the law.
The right to equal pay for equal work:
The Equal Pay Act of 1963 prohibits employers from paying employees of different genders unequal wages for doing the same job. This law applies to all forms of pay, including salary, bonuses, and benefits. If you believe you are not being paid equally to your male colleagues, you can file a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).
In addition, the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009 protects employees from retaliation for asking about or disclosing their own wages or another employee’s wages. This law also prohibits employers from retaliating against employees who file a complaint about unequal pay.
Your employer should be transparent about what they are paying you and should not discriminate against you based on your gender. If you feel like you are not being paid fairly, it’s important to speak up and seek legal assistance if necessary.
The right to unionize and collective bargaining:
Employees have the right to unionize and engage in collective bargaining with their employers. This means that employees can form a union to negotiate with their employer on issues such as wages, benefits, and working conditions. Employees are also protected by law from retaliation for engaging in union activities.
It’s beneficial for employees to be able to unionize because this means they have more bargaining power when it comes to their working conditions. If you’re thinking about unionizing, it’s important to know your rights and what protections you have under the law.
The right to file a discrimination complaint with the appropriate agency if you feel you’ve been unfairly treated at work.
Employment-at-will is a doctrine that allows employers to terminate employees at any time, for any reason, with or without notice. However, there are some exceptions to this rule. Employees cannot be terminated for reasons that would violate their civil rights, such as discrimination on the basis of race, gender, religion, or national origin.
In addition, employees cannot be terminated for exercising their legal rights, such as taking leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act or filing a workers’ compensation claim. You must also be given notice if your employer intends to change the terms of your employment, such as your salary or job duties.
If you feel you have been wrongfully terminated from your job, it’s important to speak to an attorney who can help you determine if you have a case.
Conclusion
Each of these rights is important in its own way, and employees should familiarize themselves with all of them in order to be prepared in the event that they need to take action.