When it comes to work, everyone expects to be treated fairly and enjoy the work they’ve been hired to do. But unfortunately, many Americans are subject to cruel and illegal treatment by their employers.
Whether it’s wrongful termination or sexual harassment, or many other types of mistreatment, employees don’t have to “grin and bear it” through such behavior. There are laws that establish and protect employee rights—and you should be aware of them.
In this guide, we’ll explain what you need to know about employee rights and how they can help protect you in times of trouble. Here’s what each chapter covers.
Top Laws Protecting Employee Rights
Do you know the main laws that protect employee rights? In this chapter, we’ll dive into historic and current legislation that protects employees and independent contractors.
Rights to know
Types of Discrimination in the Workplace
There are more than a dozen different kinds of employee discrimination. In this chapter, we dive into the main ones.
Common discrimination
Wrongful Termination: Actions You Can Take
Were you fired for job hunting? Experts estimate that at least 150,000 people are wrongfully fired every year. Read this chapter to learn what you can do if it’s happened to you.
Wrongfully fired
Paid Vacation Rights for Employees
Believe it or not, most employees have a right to paid time off. In this chapter, we describe paid vacation rights.
Laws about time off
Random Employee Drug Testing
Yes, companies are entitled to randomly drug test, but there are limits. In this chapter, we describe the questions you should consider.
Drug testing laws
Employee Privacy
Employees are entitled to privacy on their private devices at work. This chapter discusses things you should know about your privacy rights.
Right to privacy
Maternity Leave
There are several U.S. laws relating to maternity leave. Learn your basic maternity leave entitlements in this chapter.
Understand family leave
Perhaps you’ve been laid off. LegalShield provider lawyer Michael Dupont talks about what you and other employees need to know if this happens in a CNN Business article, “Getting laid off? Know your rights.” Or maybe you’re offered a voluntary buyout? Lindsay Greene, a partner at DSK Law, who is another LegalShield provider lawyer, discusses the importance of reviewing the terms of the agreement in depth before signing in the CNBC article, “With layoffs looming, you could be offered a voluntary buyout—4 things to know before taking one.”
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