Whether you are an employer or a business owner, there are certain rights you should know about your employees. These rights will help protect you in case your employees engage in unethical behavior. This includes protecting you from unfair labor practices and hostile work environments.
Discrimination Based On Age, Gender, Race, Nationality, Or Religion
Almost all states have anti-discrimination laws that protect against discrimination based on age, gender, race, nationality, or religion among employees. Depending on your state’s law, you may also be protected against discrimination based on other factors.
Federal anti-discrimination laws prohibit employers from discriminating against employees based on their age, gender, race, nationality, religion, or disability. Unlike state laws, federal laws have been strengthened by the Civil Rights Act of 1991. This Act makes it easier to recover damages in cases of intentional employment discrimination.
The Equal Pay Act of 1963 was designed to prevent sex-based wage discrimination. It is enforced by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 requires Federal agencies to make reasonable accommodations for known disabilities. The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 protects qualified disabled workers.
Whether you are a victim of discrimination or an employer looking to protect your business, Allred, Maroko & Goldberg is an internationally recognized employment law firm that helps individuals exercise their rights. We are committed to fighting discrimination and injustice.
Protection From Hostile Work Environments
Whether or not you are a victim of harassment, it is important to know your rights when it comes to protection from hostile work environments. If you feel that you have been victimized, you can file a claim with the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH).
The DFEH offers free dispute resolution services for claims of harassment. Depending on the nature of the claim, the DFEH may investigate the claim itself or refer the case to mediation. If you do file a claim with the DFEH, it is important to keep a detailed record of the incident. You should also file a right-to-sue notice with the DFEH so you have three years to sue.
The Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) and the California Labor Code prohibit discrimination in the workplace. These laws prevent employers from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age, pregnancy, or a disability. The FEHA prohibits employers from refusing to hire applicants, denying employment, or classifying employees in any way that adversely affects their employment status
Protection From Unfair Labor Practices.
Whether you work in a large corporation or a small business, you should know your employee rights. Federal and state laws prohibit employers from discriminating against certain groups. In particular, employers cannot discriminate on the basis of age, race, national origin, sex, familial status, religion, genetic information, or arrest and conviction records.
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is responsible for enforcing the federal anti-discrimination laws. You may also be protected from unfair labor practices by other state and federal laws. In addition, the Washington State Human Rights Commission has the power to find employment practices that are incompatible with an equal employment opportunity.
In addition to discrimination based on age, race, national origin, sex, and family status, employers cannot discriminate on the basis of disability, physical or mental impairment, medical condition, gender identity, or predisposing genetic characteristics. However, this does not mean that an employer can discriminate against applicants with a bona fide occupational qualification.
The Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA) protects women from sex discrimination in the workplace. The law defines sex as pregnancy, childbirth, related medical conditions such as lactation, and sexual orientation.
Protecting Yourself If Your Employees Engage In Unethical Behavior
Whether you’re a manager or a worker, protecting yourself if your employees engage in unethical behavior is something you should be concerned with. If your boss or supervisor is doing something that you feel is unjust or illegal, you need to report the behavior to the right people. It’s also important to avoid taking any confidential documents home, as they may be grounds for discipline or termination. In some cases, you may be able to report the misconduct to a hotline, which can be a quick way to get a response.
If you aren’t comfortable reporting your concerns directly to your boss, try to talk to a co-worker or someone in the chain of command. Your supervisor can help you document the misconduct and take it to the next level. However, you should avoid using accusatory language when reporting the misconduct. Instead, cite specific company policies and explain what you observed.
If you are unable to report the misconduct to your supervisor or the other parties in the chain of command, you can always file a complaint with a government agency. But, if you don’t exhaust your internal remedies, you’ll have a difficult time getting the results you want.