Five rights every employee should know
You work hard to earn a living, and ensure you abide by the rules of your workplace. But what rules does your employer need to follow?
As an employee there are some legal rights that your employer must ensure are in place. And yet few employees are aware of what these are.
To ensure that you are being treated fairly by your employer, here are five legal rights every employee must know.
1) Your right to access documentation
if you sign any document, then a copy should be sent to you, and this includes your employment contract.
Contracts often spell out rules regarding working with competitors, interacting with the company’s clients after you leave, and more. If you’re planning to leave your job, you should review your contract first.
If you don’t have a copy of your contract to hand then you have the right to request a copy.
This gives both parties a sense of security because they both are fully informed of their requirements, and have committed to accept the terms and conditions specified.
2) Your right to proper classification
Employers must properly classify their workforce as either an ’employee’ or an ‘independent contractor’.
Misclassification can result in unpaid overtime or a salary less than minimum wage. It can also lead to lost benefits. According to Attorney Ravi Sattiraju, misclassification has significant consequences for many workers – especially in the real estate and insurance industries.
3) Your pay slips and deductions should be clear
Employees should receive a detailed pay slip offering a comprehensive overview of their pay and any deductions. Employers cannot make illegal deductions from the salaries of their workers.
4) Your right to health protection
Health and safety regulations frequently specify that companies have a contractual duty to take care of their workers’ health and welfare by maintaining a safe atmosphere in which to perform work.
This can include furnishing first-aid supplies, appropriate clothing, drinking water, washing stations, and guaranteeing that all machinery is properly maintained.
5) Your right to family leave
Women are entitled to prenatal treatment time-off and can take maternal leave for 52 weeks. Qualifying workers are allowed to take paternity leave for one to two weeks at or near the period the baby is expected or delivered.
Check your entitlements in your state
Thee are just five universal legal right. There are many other rights employees also have.
These protections vary from state to state, so you should consider looking up your state’s laws or consulting with a local attorney to determine if your rights are being protected.
