It’s important that employees on the job market understand their rights. If you understand your rights, bad employers won’t be able to take advantage of you. They won’t be able to put your life in danger, make you work more than you should or treat you unfairly. Unfortunately, most workers just aren’t aware that they have any rights at all. That’s why some people are still paid far below the minimum wage.

The Right To Be Free From Discrimination

Employees have the right to be treated fairly. This means that when you are recruited for a job, you can only be judged based on certain factors. Employers can look at your academic ability, your perceived ability to complete the job and your experience. They may also take into account any special skills that could make you an asset, such as a second language. They can not judge you based on your race, your sex, your personal views or your appearance. Employers are also not allowed to discriminate against people with disabilities. If you believe you have been dismissed as a candidate for any of these reasons, your rights have not been respected. You may have a case for discrimination.

Right To Work In A Safe Environment

There are two ways a work environment can be unsafe. It might be physically dangerous, due to the hazards such as loose wires. This could cause you to trip, resulting in an injury. If an issue like this does cause an injury, you are entitled to workers compensation. Particularly, if the accident leaves you unable to complete your job and earn a living. You should make sure you know how workers’ compensation works if you want to protect your paycheck after an injury.

Alternatively, your workplace may be unsafe due to mental health issues. This might be caused by undue stress, bullying or intimidation. If you feel as though you are being bullied by anyone in your work, your rights are not being respected. Bullying is still common in the workplace with many employers following old fashioned rules of conduct.

Right To Be Treated Equally

There are lots of examples of work environments where employees have not been treated equally. Recently, there has been an uproar over the different pay between female and male employees in Hollywood. Of course, the issue is apparent in more typical work environments and should not be tolerated. If you believe you are not being paid the same as another person for the same job, you might be being treated unfairly. As well as this, you need to think about whether you are being held back from a promotion. If it’s for a reason other than your standard of work, this again could be classed as discrimination.

Right To Not Be Taken Advantage Of

Finally, you need to be aware of issues of sexual harassment in the workplace. If you believe you are being treated differently due to your gender, this can count as harassment. This could be something as small as a joke at your expense or being touched inappropriately. Any behaviour like this is not acceptable and should be brought to light.

These are just some of the rights you have as an employee. Remember, if you don’t know where you stand, people will be able to walk all over you.