We all deserve to feel happy and fulfilled in our places of business. Unfortunately, the sad reality is that far too many people don’t feel that way. It’s not uncommon to encounter unexpected workplace issues that threaten your health, happiness, and overall sense of employment satisfaction. Are you aware of your employment rights?
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While challenging to overcome, you have more rights regarding workplace issues than you think. In this article, we’ll explore the most common workplace issues and several solutions, including hiring the best employment lawyer to help you put them in your rearview mirror.
Workplace Bullying
Bullying behavior can take its toll on your mental well-being. It can feel isolating to face bullying behavior like unwarranted criticism, exclusion and isolation, and unfair treatment.
Often, the first step is awareness — that is, simply recognizing that you’re being bullied. Start by keeping a detailed diary of bullying incidents, collecting documents to back up your version of events, and finding witnesses to the bullying. You may then feel confident about reporting the incidents to people who can help.
Your Employment Rights and Unfair Dismissal
Being fired from a job can be one of the most traumatic experiences someone can go through. You can experience shame, embarrassment, and financial uncertainty, among many other effects.
However, not all cases of job loss are justifiable. Sometimes, for example, you face racial discrimination, retaliation, a breach of contract, bullying, or harassment that leads to unfair dismissal. There are many actions you can take, including hiring a lawyer and complaining to relevant local offices.
Workplace Discrimination
Workplace discrimination describes illegal discrimination based on gender, sex, age, race, physical or mental disability, religion, or national origin. Encountering this issue in the workplace can take its toll on your mental well-being.
Remember that working in a discrimination-free environment is your right. This means you can't be denied employment, paid less, treated less favorably, have your employment terminated, or be demoted or harassed based on the factors above.
If you are, you can take action. your chosen lawyer may recommend filing a complaint with the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Program.
Wage Disputes
According to the Economic Policy Institute, employers are stealing billions of dollars from their employees’ paychecks every year. Whether intentional or unintentional, such wage losses can often mean that employees are within their rights to file wage disputes.
There are many reasons why you may decide to file a wage dispute, such as a minimum wage violation, overtime violation, off-the-clock violation, misclassification of workers, or meal period or break violation.
If you believe you are a victim of wage theft through these ways or others, you are within your rights to seek legal action with a trusted employment lawyer.
Workplace Misconduct
Workplace misconduct describes something wrong an employee does or doesn’t do that breaches the standards of acceptable behavior in your workplace. Workplace misconduct can take on many forms, like sexual harassment, abuse of power, theft, health and safety breaches, and drug and alcohol use.
If you are the victim of workplace misconduct or have seen it in your workplace, you are within your rights to seek help. You may wish to inform your superiors or pursue legal action outside the workplace.
Workplace issues can arise when you least expect them, but you don’t have to navigate them alone. If you’ve encountered these challenges above or others, you can seek help within your business or request outside legal help. You’re never short of experts to help you understand your employment rights.
