ExecutiveChronicles | A Complete Guide to Knowing Your Rights in The Workplace | Starting a new job or joining the workforce as a first-time employee is an exciting chapter in anybody’s life. You’ll be working towards your goals and, in return, receiving a hard earned paycheck at the end of each month. However, not all employers are the same and, sadly, some organisations don’t do everything in their power to make employment an enjoyable experience.
Thanks to our governing laws, all employees have a set of rules and regulations designed to protect them from discrimination. More specifically, employees sustain the right to not be harassed or discriminated against, whether this be due to religion, sex, ethnicity, disability, age, or sexual orientation
The Right to Parental Leave
If you wish to start a family of your own, you should be temporarily exempt from work after the birth or adoption of your child. Under the 1993 Family and Medical Leave Act, legal parents are protected for up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave per annum. The same amount of leave must be awarded to both mothers and fathers. However, the average American father only takes 10 days of parental leave per year due to financial constraints and commitments.
The Right to Refuse Unsafe Work
If an employee believes they have been assigned work that could cause an immediate risk to themselves or any others around them, they are in their right to refuse it. In this scenario, you must speak with your supervisor, express your concerns, and ask them to eliminate the potential dangers. Once the person in charge refuses or fails to remove the immediate risk, you can refuse the unsafe work.
The Right to Refuse Wrongful Termination
If you have been wrongfully terminated, this means that your employer has fired you for reasons that are illegal. Although you may be fired for breaching a contract, you can’t be fired because your boss simply holds a grudge against you. Similarly, if your employer dismisses you without sufficient notice, this may be grounds for a legal case too.
The Right to Sue Your Employer
Although engaging in a legal dispute isn’t always the preferred route, often, it’s the necessary one. Don’t forget that you can go against your employer and file a claim if you believe there have been any wrongdoings. If you do think that you are being treated improperly, you can always find workplace fairness with HKM Employment Attorneys.
All in all, it’s important to know what your rights are so that you can defend yourself properly. Knowledge is power, so make sure to read up on any rights in greater depth if you believe that you are being discriminated against in the workplace.
If you feel like you may have a viable case, it’s probably a good idea to reach out to a qualified professional who can further assist you on the matter. Many legal firms will extend a courtesy session that is free of charge to help you determine whether you have a case or not.
