The Labor Law in the U.S. encompasses a great number of statutes that aim to protect the rights of the labor sector against abusive employers. It also lays down their privileges and obligations. Among others, these important statutes cover the majority of all the aspects of employment such as:
- job applications,
- employer-employee relations,
- workplace safety,
- workers’ wages and benefits,
- taxation and
- illegal termination
However, the many complicated issues discussed in most of these provisions hinder most of the workers to avail their guaranteed protection.
Basic Workplace Rights
Not all employees fully understand their basic rights. These comprises of:
- Right to privacy – this applies to an employee’s personal properties such as his bags, safety locker and private parcels. Further, an employee is also protected in making private conversations; yet, his privacy rights may be limited to an extent regarding his internet usages and e-mail messages if he is using his employer’s computer system.
- Fair compensation – this pertains to the allocation of wages based on the standard minimum wage set by the government. An employee has the right to receive all other benefits and privileges as discussed in their employment contract.
- Freedom from discrimination – various laws such as the Fair Employment and Hosing Act, Title VII, Americans with Disabilities Act and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act provide protections to the workers against discriminative performances by their employers. Such actions may be considered illegal if they are done based on an employee’s race, gender, religion, nationality or even disability.
- Anti-retaliation – this explains that an employer has no right to retaliate against his worker who has divulged an illicit activity of the company. This is especially if the employer’s performances affect the welfare of the people and/or violate other government policies
Seeking Protection
Since most of the employees do not have the capacity to defend themselves against Labor Law Violation, it is necessary for them to ask for the assistance of a qualified labor attorney. This is to ensure that all their rights will be properly observed in the process of filing their lawsuits.
More so, an eligible legal advocate with extensive skills in handling employment disputes and claims will definitely increase the employees’ chances of having their cases resolved in the least possible period.
