Basic Employee Rights You Should Know
Upon accepting a position with a new company, it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of the process. From filling out your employment documents to starting your official training, the first few weeks are a whirlwind. However, while all this is going on, it’s also important that you familiarize yourself with your rights as an employee to ensure you’re always protected. These are some basic employee rights you should know and what to do if you believe they’ve been violated.
Not To Be Harassed or Discriminated Against
No matter what industry you work in or what type of work culture your company has, everyone has the right to feel respected and valued by their peers. Whether it be age, race, gender, or religion, treating an individual differently because of where they fall under these particular demographics violates any business’s code of ethics. As such, know that you have the legal right to stand up for yourself and raise awareness of the situation should you feel that you are being harassed.
Accommodations for Medical Conditions
Employees also have a right to request workplace accommodations to make them more comfortable—especially when it comes to certain medical conditions. This could include changes to certain workplace standards to fit your needs or making adjustments to the workplace environment itself to make it more maneuverable for you. Either way, you should always bring it to your manager’s attention if you need these concessions made, as it’s their responsibility to make it happen.
To File for Worker’s Compensation
Another basic employee right you should know about is your ability to file for worker’s compensation after sustaining an injury on the clock. Physical harm can happen regardless of what industry you’re working in. However, industrial or labor-intensive fields pose the most risk. Fortunately, should you get injured while at work, you can file for worker’s compensation to get proper medical attention. Depending on the details of your accident, you may even be able to file a worker’s comp third party case to further protect yourself and your family.
To Receive Equal Pay for Equal Work
Most importantly, though, you have a right to equal pay for completing the same amount of work as your coworkers. It’s illegal for employers to pay certain individuals less than others when they’re responsible for the same type and quantity of work. This also works to combat different forms of discrimination in the workplace and ensures that each employee is taken care of.
