Helping Workers Understand Employment Laws

Most people are oblivious to their rights as workers and would often ignore any inappropriate actuations towards them. These should not be the case as there are employment laws that concerns workers and how they should be treated fairly in their workplace.

Employment Litigation

It involves any case of employment dispute between a worker and his superior, co-worker, or employer. Workers who plan to file harassment, discrimination, or other related cases must seek the assistance of an experienced lawyer who is capable of handling employment litigations.

Victims of employment disputes can file for charges that would somehow compensate their grief, lost wages, or any pain incurred from the incident. Once an employee files any charge against his employer, or other parties in his workplace, he cannot be terminated in retaliation for his actions. In addition, the victim must be wary of the frequency of the act and if there are any witnesses who can prove it.

To educate workers of their rights, here are the common subjects of disputes in a workplace:

Harassment

Contrary to popular belief, male workers are also eligible to file harassment charges against anyone in their workplace if they feel they are violated. Any unnecessary touching, sexual advances, or degrading jokes and slurs can be the subject of these charges.

Sadly, not all harassment victims file charges. There are those who maintain their silence in fear that they might lose their job or be demoted from their positions. Also, since they cannot be retaliated against, these workers shouldn’t be afraid to let the authorities know of the incident.

• Quid Pro Quo Harassment – This occurs when an employer compels his employee to endure the act for him to retain his position and salary, or be promoted.


• Hostile Work Environment Harassment – This type of harassment involves a hostile workplace for the victim of harassment and his performance is being affected because of the accident.

Discrimination

Discrimination in workplace has been going on for decades. Workers are discriminated against because of any trait that might stand out among others. These workers do not receive fair treatment and are often terminated from their jobs, receive lower wages, or do not receive other benefits which he is qualified for. Here are the different types of discrimination that could exist in a workplace:

• Racial Discrimination


• Age Discrimination


• Sexual / Gender Discrimination


• Religion Discrimination

Whistle-blowing

Workers who have exposed illegal activities of his company must not be afraid because under the law, they cannot be retaliated against because of their legal actions. This means that though he has caused the company much trouble with the law because of its illicit engagements, he will still not be terminated in the said company.

Disabled Workers

Workers with disability must have easier access with the things he would need in order to perform his job. Also, ramps and hand rails must be provided for his safety and convenience. Disability of the person, however, must be known and recognized by his employer.

Minimum Wage

Minimum wage is designed to properly compensate a worker for the services he has rendered his company. The worker cannot, in any case, agree to receive or have settlement concerning lower than minimum wage with his employer. Again, like other employment disputes, the worker must never be afraid to ask about his salary or complain if it is below minimum.