DID YOU KNOW?
At-Will Employment: In most U.S. states, employment is considered “at-will,” meaning employers can terminate employees for any reason (with some exceptions), and employees can leave their jobs without notice for any reason.
Protected Categories: Federal and state laws prohibit workplace discrimination based on factors such as race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, and genetic information.
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act: Title VII is a landmark federal law that prohibits workplace discrimination and harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. It also established the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) to enforce these laws.
Sexual Harassment: Sexual harassment is illegal under Title VII, and employees have the right to a workplace free from unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature.
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA): The FMLA provides eligible employees with up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave per year for specified family and medical reasons, including the birth or adoption of a child and serious health conditions.
Minimum Wage: The federal minimum wage is set by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). States may have their own minimum wage laws, and employees are entitled to the higher of the federal or state minimum wage.
Overtime Pay: The FLSA requires employers to pay eligible employees overtime at a rate of 1.5 times their regular hourly rate for hours worked beyond 40 in a workweek.
Workers’ Compensation: Most states require employers to carry workers’ compensation insurance, which provides benefits to employees who are injured or become ill due to job-related activities.
Age Discrimination: The Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) protects individuals over the age of 40 from employment discrimination based on their age.
Whistleblower Protections: Federal and state laws offer protections for whistleblowers who report illegal activities, fraud, or safety violations within their workplaces.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): The ADA prohibits discrimination against qualified individuals with disabilities in employment and requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified employees with disabilities.
Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA): USERRA protects the employment and reemployment rights of individuals who serve in the U.S. military, including the National Guard and Reserve.
Equal Pay Act: The Equal Pay Act requires that men and women be paid equally for performing substantially similar work in the same establishment.
Labor Unions: The National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) protects employees’ rights to form, join, or assist labor unions and engage in collective bargaining.
Complaint and Reporting Procedures: Employers are generally required to have internal procedures for reporting and addressing workplace complaints and violations of employment laws.