3 Employee Rights You Must Know

If you’re one of the many regular employees, then this article is for you. The latest ILO found that 2.3 million people succumb to work-related diseases or accidents annually, resulting in 6000 deaths daily. With such a shockingly high number, it’s only natural to educate yourself about your rights.

Getting to know your rights in the workplace protects you from any mishaps. Employers are expected to comply with legal standards, and knowing your rights enables you to notice if you’re mistreated at work. Continue learning to learn more about this.

What Are Employee Rights?

Everyone has rights in the workplace, even you! These rights are a legal entitlement that an employee has to have to ensure a fair workplace and employee treatment. But you should know that these rights would vary depending on your employment status.

You usually see some of the following employee rights when signing a contract. It’s why lawyers and professionals who often deal with legal documents would often advise you to review your contract front and back at least twice. When employees read their contracts, there may be some things that they have missed, which employers could take advantage of.

One of the fundamental reasons why individuals work is for their survival. Undoubtedly, individuals can get their basic needs, e.g., food, clothing, and housing, with money – and with no surprise, you can get this by working. Safetiness is also essential for survival, so a safe house is a fundamental and obvious requirement.

A safe work environment is also necessary since employers are responsible for providing employees with a safe and healthy working environment, according to the Health and Safety at Work Act (1974). It’s why when the COVID-19 virus affected everyone worldwide, most companies instructed their employees to work at home. It’s also why frontline workers had to wear PPE and protect themselves from the virus.

Sadly, as mentioned above, workplace injuries and diseases are quite common. In 2021, 5,190 fatal work injuries were reported in the United States. This number is an 8.9 percent increase in 2020, where they recorded a total of 4,764 workplace injuries.

At the same time, in the Philippines, a country that’s said to be one of the worst countries to work in, a study showed that from 2010-2020, a total of 72,897 work-related injuries were reported.

On the other hand, Australia reported in 2022 that a total of 1.6 per 100,000 workers experience workplace injuries. Australia has fewer workplace injuries than the other two countries, making it an optimal country. However, if you did get hurt on a job in Australia, be sure to contact RZ Injury Lawyers since they have a stellar performance in giving justice to mistreated employees.

3 Essential Employee Rights You Should Know

A Payslip Is a Must.

You must receive your payslip on the day you get paid, and this day would depend on your contract, whether it’s the end of the month or every 15 days. You should know that no federal law requires companies to give their employees pay stubs.

However, in legislation, giving out pay stubs law falls under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Nonetheless, companies are subjected to following state legislation and compliance. So in hindsight, employers still have to follow this Act and provide you with your payslip.

A payslip should show a detailed breakdown of your pay. It should include any deductions for National Insurance and tax and the hours you’ve put in work. It’s up to your employer whether the payslip is given online or on paper. In general, it should include the following:

• Total payments before and after deductions were made. It should include the gross amount and the net amount.
• Fixed deductions – These should be explained in a separate statement that must be sent to you before the first payslip is given. It should also be updated annually.
• Variable deductions – These deductions are different depending on your salary and cause. It changes from payday to payday. Examples of these deductions include pension contributions, tax, National Insurance, and Student Loan repayments.
• It may also include your tax code.

You Shouldn’t Be Discriminated Against.

You are protected by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 of the Civil Rights Act which protects workers and job applicants from any illegal discrimination in the workplace. Discrimination is the prejudicial treatment of different categories of people. These characteristics include the following:

• Sex
• Religion or belief
• Race
• Age
• Disability
• Sexual Orientation
• Gender reassignment
• Marriage or civil partnership

Unfair Dismissals Are Illegal

Your employer should give you a lawful reason for dismissal. They shouldn’t terminate you just because they want to. Instead, they should give a proper reason and an agreed amount of notice for the contract. The termination process should also follow a fair procedure.

Wrongful termination laws differ from state to state. But employers follow the primary law of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Examples of wrongful termination include the following:

• Illegal discrimination
• Illegal retaliation against a whistleblower or a union supporter
• Illegal retaliation for a worker’s compensation claim
• Violating the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

Final Thoughts

Reading up and understanding your employee rights can inform you on what should and shouldn’t happen in the workplace. It enables you to become extra protected by being informed of the law. Remember that ignorance of the law excuses no one.