The federal government has established several laws in order to protect an employee and their rights. Even though not all businesses qualify for each law, there are basic rights in all workplaces.
These basic employee rights include:
- The right to privacy
- The right to fair compensation
- The right to be free from age, race, gender, religion, or national origin discrimination
- The right to be in a workplace free of safety hazards, dangerous conditions, and toxic substances
- The right to be free from retaliation
In addition to these basic rights, there are several other laws that protect employee’s rights as well:
Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)- This law regulates things such as the number of hours an employee is allowed to work, how many breaks an employee is allowed, as well as determine the salary and overtime requirements.
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)- This law establishes the right to an eligible employee to take up to 12-weeks time off from work for qualified medical reasons, ensuring that their position is held for them upon their return. There are stipulations that an employee must meet in order to qualify for FMLA.
Title VII- This law only applies to en employer with more than 15 employees, and prohibits those employers from discriminating against race, color, national origin, sex, and religious belief during the hiring process.
Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA)- This law prohibits discrimination against an employee with a qualified physical or mental impairment on the basis of their disability.
Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA)- This law only applies to an employee over the age of 40 and works for an employer with more than 20 employees, and prevents the employer from favoring or giving preferential treatment to employees who are younger, and to the detriment of the older qualified employee.
The employment attorneys at Maduff & Maduff have been specializing in wage and overtime, discrimination, and civil rights law for more than 20 years. If you feel that you are experiencing an employment issue, visit us to see how we can help you.