A Few Important Employee Rights

There was a time when bosses could pay what they wanted, work you as long as they wanted in any conditions they wanted, and they could hire goons to beat or kill you if you tried to change these things. A century of labor organizing and political changes gave employees a variety of rights that have made things considerably better. Here are a few of your rights as a working person.

Employee Rights to Organize

In the United States you have an absolute right to form a union with your fellow workers, and take labor actions such as slowdowns, pickets and strikes. It is illegal to fire anybody for organizing work, though in many states the law will let them fire you for other reasons used as excuses to terminate you for organizing. Lawsuits often prevail in these conditions. It is also illegal to fire anybody for taking labor actions such as strikes, and in some states it is illegal to hire replacement workers, also known as 'scabs.'

Part of this right to organize is that you have a right to discuss with your fellow employees your wages and compensation. Many employers now make it a rule that you are not allowed to tell other employees how much you make, but if they fire you for this, you should be able to sue and get your job back.

Employee Rights Regarding Hours, Wages and Workplace Safety

If you are not a manager, it is illegal to make you work more than 40 hours a week unless you are paid time-and-a-half for all hours over 40. There are some exceptions to this rule, but in general you have an absolute right to overtime pay. There is also a federal minimum wage, and a number of states have a higher minimum for all jobs in their state. In most cases tipped employees like waiters can be paid less than the minimum, but if your tips do not add up to that level, your employer must pay you the difference.

It is also the law that you have a right to a safe workplace, and the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration can fine employers who put their employees at risk. You can anonymously contact OSHA, and they are required to investigate all charges. There should be a poster in your breakroom or other public part of your workplace with their contact information.