Criminal Lawyer - Find Attorneys in Over 70 Practice Areas

Labor-Workers

Labor & Employment Law for Employees

Working can be a pain, but just because you are an employee doesn't mean you don't have rights. Employment law covers a variety of issues, such as discrimination, workplace safety, sexual harassment and privacy rights. If you believe that your rights have been violated, an attorney who specializes in employment law may be able to help.

Your Right to Be Hired

There are both state and federal employment laws that deal with the problem of discrimination. Employers are prohibited from making hiring, promotion and firing decisions based on a person's age, race, gender, religion, nationality or disability.

Your Workplace

There are employment laws which require employers to maintain safe, non-hostile work environments for their employees. The Occupational Health and Safety Act requires employers to keep facilities reasonably safe. There are statutes that protect you against various forms of sexual harassment, such as sexually suggestive remarks and inappropriate physical contact. There are also employment laws that protect your right to privacy when it comes to any personal, criminal or health records that you may have.

Your Compensation

The Fair Labor Standards Act was established to ensure that workers are compensated fairly. This statute, which regulates compensation matters such as minimum wage, the requirement for overtime hours and equal pay, applies to nearly all places of employment. In order to protect employee pension plans, the federal government enacted the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, which imposes regulations on employers that provide retirement and pension plans.

Your Right to Speak Out

The law also prohibits employers from punishing or retaliating against employees who report violations of employment laws.

These issues are just the tip of the iceberg of the potential problems that could occur on the job. Whether state or federal, employment laws have different requirements, consulting an employer who specializes in employment law can make sure that you rights are protected. If you think that your rights have been violated, make sure you document what happened and then talk an attorney to see if you have a case.