3 Legal Tips Every Employee Should Consider
Every business policy and procedure must comply with the legal policies and laws of the state in which the business is situated. The employee legal laws, therefore, act as the reference point to organizations’ decision-making and employment. It is very vital for you as an employee to understand the legal laws as they influence your safety and pay at the workplace intensively. Below are some of the main legal laws that you be aware of while working.
Discrimination Laws
Employees must be treated fairly and equally regardless of their race, language, gender, or age at the workplace. You should be aware of these laws since they determine how your employer views and how you will relate with him in the long run. Additionally, the discriminatory laws promote equality at the workplace, especially with minority groups such as the disabled.
Additionally, while relating to these laws, you must be aware that they apply to all levels of employees regardless of how long they have stayed in the company. In other words, no one is more entitled to this law than the other. Both new and old employees in the organization should enjoy this law without discrimination.
Wage Laws
You are working for your organization mainly to acquire good pay that can sustain you, which explains why you must be aware of this law. The wage law is aimed at ensuring that you get fair pay for fair work. It also entails making sure that you work for the right time and get fair pay.
Under this wage law, you are also entitled to a paid leave, especially when you fall sick at the workplace. Most employers may be reluctant to offer a paid leave when you do not ask for it; you should therefore inform them on time that you will be taking a leave and for what reason.
You can approach various bodies when you realize that your employer is not complying with the wage laws. Firstly, you can contact the L&I Attorney and inform them of your employer’s illegal conduct, and legal action can be taken against them. You can seek assistance from L&I attorneys and receive legal guidance against an exploitative employer.
Safety Laws
Your safety is essential, and the organization you are working for has the responsibility of ensuring that you are safe while working. This safety law entails ensuring that the employees are healthy and fit to keep working as certain such people cannot qualify for certain posts in a company due to their health conditions.
Your employer should ensure that the machinery and equipment you are using in the production department are not exposing you to health risks. Additionally, in compliance with this law, the organization must engage in periodic safety inspections and maintenance checks of all machinery.
As an employee, you should ensure that you are wearing the safety gear and equipment when you are working. For instance, you may need light glasses when working in areas that emit too much light to keep your eyes safe.
Health Laws
The state requires that all employees should have a health insurance policy. The state understands that various threats are likely to occur while employees work and mandate that you be covered. The government also requires that the insurance policy be affordable and not a burden to the employee, and the employee should only be charged a small premium. Moreover, the premiums should also be shared between the employee and employer to reduce the burden on individual employees.
When taking a health insurance cover, you are responsible for revealing the truth to your insurer about your health conditions. The insurer should have precise and adequate information about conditions that you may be suffering from. This will be essential to the insurer and employer when they decide the amount of work you should do, hours to be worked, and premiums to be paid.
The labor laws are designed to protect the employees while working and create a harmonious environment in the workplace. Through the insights, you have gained from the laws mentioned above. You can help fight discrimination and employee exploitation. Always ensure that these laws are at your fingertips. Ensure that you are educating your colleagues on the existence of such laws.