Q&A

Is it illegal for your employer to prohibit you from talking to your co-workers?

Is it illegal for your employer to prohibit you from talking to your co-workers?

Your boss may not want you and your co-workers to compare your salary or benefits, but they can’t prohibit it. Under the NLRA, any attempt to quash these discussions could be seen as an illegal attempt to prevent workers from organizing or unionizing.

Can a employer mistreat an illegal employee?

Many employers have consequently mistreated illegally employed staff believing that such employees have no recourse to labour law. They have based their actions on the assumption that their so called ‘illegal employees’ are unable to use the law to take the employer to task.

Why was it illegal to hire a foreigner in South Africa?

Although the employee’s employment status may have been illegal he was resident in South Africa legally. It had been the employer and not the employee who had contravened the Immigration Act because the wording of that act prohibited employers from employing certain foreigners rather than prohibiting the foreigners from accepting employment.

Is it legal for an employer to allow a hostile workplace?

Allowing a hostile workplace. Some employers may break the law before you even get hired. The EEOC enforces laws that prohibit a dozen different types of discrimination and, in most cases, employers can’t use those factors in hiring decisions or even ask about them during the interview process.

Your boss may not want you and your co-workers to compare your salary or benefits, but they can’t prohibit it. Under the NLRA, any attempt to quash these discussions could be seen as an illegal attempt to prevent workers from organizing or unionizing.

Is it legal for an employer to retaliate against an employee?

But retaliation can also be more subtle. Sometimes it’s clear that an employer’s action is negative—for instance, when an employee is fired. But sometimes it’s not. In those cases, according to the U.S. Supreme Court, you must consider the circumstances of the situation.

When is it illegal for an employer to fire an employee?

Breaches of good faith and fair dealings may occur when employers deal with current employees in a manner that shields or misleads a worker regarding certain aspects of job, including location, expected duties, hazards, and pay rates. An employee’s firing may be illegal if an employer violates public policy during the process.

Allowing a hostile workplace. Some employers may break the law before you even get hired. The EEOC enforces laws that prohibit a dozen different types of discrimination and, in most cases, employers can’t use those factors in hiring decisions or even ask about them during the interview process.

When does an employer create a hostile work environment?

The EEOC says a hostile work environment is created when a person must endure offensive conduct as a condition of continued employment and the conduct is severe and pervasive enough that a reasonable person would find it intimidating, hostile or abusive.

When do you need a Labor Management Committee?

If your employees are not represented by an agreement with an organized labor union, and part of your employee population is unionized, the establishment of labor-management committees is considerably more complicated. You should request clarification from the Cal/OSHA Consultation Service.

Do you have to tell your employer if a co worker has tested positive?

If you worry you may have been exposed to a co-worker who has tested positive but you weren’t notified, here’s what you should know. Wheat-Hitchings says it’s the employers responsibility to know where the employees are working and the people they work with.

Can a co-worker be exposed to covid-19?

Employers should be particularly careful not to disclose the affected employee’s name. Employees exposed to a co-worker with confirmed COVID-19 should refer to CDC guidance for how to conduct a risk assessment of their potential exposure.

Do you have to tell employer if co-worker has coronavirus?

All of this may come as a surprise if you thought your employer was already required to tell you if a co-worker tests positive for the novel coronavirus.

If you worry you may have been exposed to a co-worker who has tested positive but you weren’t notified, here’s what you should know. Wheat-Hitchings says it’s the employers responsibility to know where the employees are working and the people they work with.

Employers should be particularly careful not to disclose the affected employee’s name. Employees exposed to a co-worker with confirmed COVID-19 should refer to CDC guidance for how to conduct a risk assessment of their potential exposure.

Are there any laws you need to know about working for an employer?

Failing to provide paid sick leave in relation to COVID-19. Some employers may break the law before you even get hired. The EEOC enforces laws that prohibit a dozen different types of discrimination and, in most cases, employers can’t use those factors in hiring decisions or even ask about them during the interview process.

Is it legal for an employer to ban office dating?

P.S. If this all makes you wonder if it’s legal for an employer to ban dating among coworkers (aside from just manager-employee dating), the answer is yes. Employers have successfully argued they have a legitimate business interest in banning office dating, since it can cause all sorts of workplace issues that have nothing to do with the NLRA.

Can a company prohibit me from socializing with co-workers?

But for an employer to prohibit generally an employee from socializing with co-workers off the clock and off premises is dangerous and likely unlawful directive to an employee. So there you have it. But I want to know more about your employer’s rationale for telling you not to eat with coworkers.

What are some workplace laws your employer may be violating?

1 Using prohibited questions on job applications. 2 Insisting you can’t discuss your salary with your co-workers. 3 Failing to pay you overtime. 4 Promising jobs to unpaid interns. 5 Asking or allowing you to work off the clock. 6 Classifying you as an independent contractor, but treating you like an employee.

Can an employer prohibit us from talking about an investigation?

In the case of Banner Estrella Medical Center, an HR consultant asked employees who had made a complaint not to discuss the matter with coworkers while the investigation was ongoing. The NLRB found that this request violated employees’ rights to discuss the terms and conditions of employment with each other.

Can a lawyer send you a text message?

Messages or calls may be sent using an autodialer or other automated technology. You are not required to provide consent as a condition of service. Attorneys have the option, but are not required, to send text messages to you. You will receive up to 2 messages per week from Martindale-Nolo. Frequency from attorney may vary.

Can your employer prohibit you from discussing your salary?

Employers cannot prohibit or discipline employees for talking about their salaries on their own time, but they may have an interest in reducing the distrust or jealousy that can arise from salary discussions.

Failing to provide paid sick leave in relation to COVID-19. Some employers may break the law before you even get hired. The EEOC enforces laws that prohibit a dozen different types of discrimination and, in most cases, employers can’t use those factors in hiring decisions or even ask about them during the interview process.

Can a company be held responsible for employee behavior?

The key is that the employer must be aware of the behavior, unless it involves a supervisor, in which case, a company can be automatically held responsible for the behavior.

What should an employer do if an ex-employee refuses to pay?

Ritchie advises first sending the former employee a letter demanding that she repay the money to avoid further legal consequences. “Give a specific date by which she must make the payment so you can decide on your next course of action if she ignores the letter,” he says.

Can a employer sue an employee that leaves without a reasonable notice?

The laws regarding failure to provide reasonable notice of resignation vary widely from state to state. Some states, like California, do not require that an employee give any amount of reasonable notice of resignation. Other states will allow an employer to sue an employee that left without reasonable notice even if no revenue was lost.

Do you have to confront an ex employee?

Cokeley advises an employer planning to confront the suspected employee to first gather evidence. “There’s no rule that says you have to confront an employee before conducting an internal investigation ,” he wrote. “Indeed, you would be foolish to run to an employee with your suspicions before checking out the facts.”

What to do when an ex-employee leaves the company?

Recently, a group of attorneys was asked what to do about an employee who left the company a month earlier and moved to another state. The employer found out too late that she had been using one of the company gas cards for her personal use for the last nine months of her employment.

Can a hostile workplace extend past business hours?

A hostile workplace can extend past business hours as well. Employers have an obligation to address behavior such as a person sending harassing texts or messages to a co-worker in the evening.

What happens if an employee files a complaint against an employer?

Employers can get in hot water for failing to withhold payroll taxes, and they could also be on the hook for other penalties if the employee files a complaint saying they weren’t properly compensated. Hiring independent contractors instead of employees is one way businesses can keep costs down.

All of this may come as a surprise if you thought your employer was already required to tell you if a co-worker tests positive for the novel coronavirus.

What should you never tell your coworkers about your job?

Here are ten things never, ever to tell your coworkers: 1. If you hate your job, keep it to yourself. Look for a new job on the side, but don’t tell your coworkers how unhappy you are.

What do you need to know about not working for your boss?

Somewhere along the way you may have agreed not to work for a competitor; or not to solicit or communicate with clients, vendors and employees of the company for a year or two. It’s also conceivable that you gave up the right to a jury trial or agreed to arbitrate any disputes against your employer, rather than suing.

Can you refuse to comment on an employee’s performance?

They can refuse to comment on an employee’s performance. However, if asked if the employee is eligible for rehire, they can legally say “yes” or “no” and not be at risk of being sued. This is important, because if they say “no,” then it tells the potential employer something went wrong.

Can a covid-19 employer tell you not to come to work?

Klingenberger: Yes, that is possible, but in today’s COVID-19 environment, an understanding employer could tell an employee, ‘If you do not want to come to work for the time being, you may use vacation, sick leave or other time-off benefits,’ if that is a benefit the employer offers.

Can you take legal action against your employer?

There’s no overt threat of legal action. The reason for that is that your goal here is not just to assert your legal rights but also to keep a good relationship with your employer. It is possible to do both, but that’s far less likely to happen if you wield the law like a weapon.

Where is valet parking in an office building?

Office buildings will sometimes offer their valet service at the foot of the visitor entrance ramp, closest to the elevators. Valet parking is often confused with an “attendant assist” operation. Attendant assist parking is utilized in facilities where the space configuration consists of tandem parking spaces.

When do you need an attendant assist parking?

Attendant assist parking is utilized in facilities where the space configuration consists of tandem parking spaces. There is no single drop off point; instead, parkers will self-park and allow the attendants access to their vehicles’ keys.

How to determine if parking is reserved for employees?

Determine whether any parking spots are reserved for employees (such as by gated entrances or reserved signs). If an employer has spots reserved for employees, determine what percentage of the total parking spots are reserved for employees.

Do you have to pay for employee parking?

Any parking expenses paid by an employer that exceed this per-employee limit may still be deducted by the employer and will be disregarded when calculating UBTI.

Who is responsible for sending your workers home?

Employers are responsible for the arrangement of PDT tests as mandated by the embassy of your workers before the flight departure date, in accordance to the testing window as specified by the returning country. All result memos must be obtained from the respective GP clinic before flight departure.

What makes it illegal for an employer to make an employment decision?

Terms & Conditions Of Employment The law makes it illegal for an employer to make any employment decision because of a person’s race, color, religion, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation, and pregnancy), national origin, age (40 or older), disability or genetic information.

Is it illegal to tease someone in the workplace?

Although the law does not prohibit simple teasing, offhand comments, or isolated incidents that are not very serious, harassment is illegal if it is so frequent or severe that it creates a hostile or offensive work environment or if it results in an adverse employment decision (such as the victim being fired or demoted).

When does an employer send an employee out of town?

When an employer sends a worker out of town on an overnight trip, the employee is paid for all hours she actually works. Time the employee spends in the hotel, at restaurants and sleeping are not reimbursable. Any time an employee is required to travel during her normal working hours, she must be paid as well.

Is it legal for an employer to pay an employee to travel?

If an employee is required to travel for an employer either during or outside his normal working hours, the employer is required to compensate him. It may be difficult to decide how much time is payable during the employee’s travels. Luckily, employers have federal guidelines that help spell out what gets paid and at what rate. Commuting Vs.

Why do companies send employees to other states?

Businesses send workers to live temporarily in other states for a variety of reasons: to visit clients, work on projects or attend trade shows. They may also temporarily relocate employees due to natural disasters, such as the recent hurricanes and wildfires. So which state’s employment laws apply when employees are working out of town?

Do you have to pay employees for time worked?

As a general rule the FLSA requires employers to pay their employees for time actually worked. There may be some instances where an employee arrives to work, as directed by the employer, only to be sent home before any work is performed. Typically, the employer does not need to count the employee’s time showing up for work as hours worked.

Can a co-worker have an affair with your husband?

But the signs that your husband is cheating on you with a co-worker will always be the same. Earlier the most common type of office infidelity was between male bosses and females who were lower-ranking employees, or even the other way around, the recent trend is affairs between coworkers.

What should I know about hiring illegal workers?

If you are selected for an I-9 audit, or you do work in an industry that is known for employing illegal workers (construction, agriculture, landscaping, hospitality, restaurants, manufacturing), then you SHOULD consult with an immigration attorney if you have not already done so! 5. What penalties can I face?

Why was many married women banned from working during the?

In fact, businesses had been banning married women from work since at least the 1880s. Marriage bars were designed not only to reserve employment opportunities for men, but to ensure that unmarried women without families to support were kept in the lowest paying, least prestigious positions.

Why was women banned from working during the Great Depression?

The 1930s would see a spike in policies and laws that discriminated against, even forbade, women to work when they were married. During the Great Depression, discrimination against their employment even became law.

Are there still marriage bars in the workplace?

In today’s era of relatively strong workplace discrimination laws, the prevalence of marriage bars can seem astonishing. As Way notes, marriage bars were common throughout the insurance, publishing, and banking industries, and imposed with abandon by private firms in other white-collar professions.

What are the pros and cons of banning homework?

When you add in the fact that most lessons sent for homework must be done by themselves, banning homework will reduce the repetition that students face, allowing for a better overall outcome. 8. Home environments can be chaotic. Although some students can do homework in a quiet room without distractions, that is not the case for most kids.

Is it illegal for an employer to fire an employee?

State and federal laws prohibit employers from relying on certain justifications for firing employees, such as discrimination or retaliation. These prohibitions apply whether the employee has an employment contract with you or works at will.

How many hours do you have to work to be part time in Hawaii?

The designation of full- or part-time employee status is at the discretion of the employer. If you work at least 20 hours a week there are obligations for your employer to provide certain benefits under the Hawaii Prepaid Health Care Law. For more information on this law see http://labor.hawaii.gov/dcd.

How old do you have to be to work 30 hours a week?

If you’re under 18 years old, you must meet the above conditions and work more than 30 hours per week to be entitled to super contributions. Your employer is not required to make super contributions if you’re: paid to do work of a private or domestic nature for 30 hours or less each week

Can a company fire an older employee and hire a younger one?

If you’ve fired an older worker and hired a younger replacement, you need to be able to provide a valid reason for the firing other than age, such as poor job performance. Otherwise, your decision to terminate looks like age discrimination.

Is it illegal to give an employee a pay cut?

Surprise – A surprise pay cut is illegal. Employers are obligated to pay employees the agreed-upon rate. If employers wish to change that rate, they can do so but first employees must agree to it. If they choose not to agree to it, they can discontinue service with the company.

Employers cannot fire employees for reasons that would violate federal, state, or local anti-discrimination laws. Need Professional Help? Talk to an Employment Rights Attorney. Please answer a few questions to help us match you with attorneys in your area. Where do you need an Employment Rights Attorney? Step 3 of 4 Briefly describe your case.