Congratulations on starting a brand new job! There is a lot of excitement and probably a lot of stress lying ahead of you. You might have a million questions about what your new position will be like.
First of all – an important thing to consider going into this is what your rights are in the workplace. While different countries, regions and specific companies might assign different rights and responsibilities to employees, there are a few basic ones that typically apply and that you should be aware of.
Unfair Dismissals
One of the most common legal issues that arises between an employee and employer is that of unfair dismissal, and it’s important that you know your rights in this regard straight off the bat.
If you are dismissed from your position at any point in your contract, fair reason must be given and a proper procedure needs to be followed. If something happens and you are unfairly dismissed, you might face unemployment in Boston and need to get in contact with a labour lawyer. Be sure to keep any records or documentation you might need for opening a case.
A Safe Work Environment
Regardless of the nature of your work, you are entitled to a safe workplace. To keep this law in place, employees should always be properly trained and educated about health and safety in their line of work.
Employers should further take any measures possible in order to prevent illness and or injury for their workers, provide them with protective equipment and alert them to any possible dangers of their job. Employees also hold the right to refuse to take on dangerous work.
Fair Compensation
You are, of course, entitled to a salary that is equal to or above your country’s national minimum wage, in order to be able to live.
In this regard, you’re also entitled to equality when it comes to your salary, which implies that you should be earning the same amount as other employees with your level of training and experience and who are performing the same job as you. Any form of discrimination when it comes to pay should be addressed by a labour lawyer.
Joining a Union
A worker’s union represents your rights and your best interests in the workplace. Joining an association like this offers you some assistance in bargaining for better working conditions, and it’s within your rights as an employee to join such an association.
Employers might try to discourage or even prevent their workers from joining a union, due to the fact that these groups might alert their members to unfair work practices, but you have the legal right to join.
Conclusion
All in all, it’s a good idea to know your rights from the very beginning of your new employment contract. Start your working relationship off on the right foot and initiate a discussion with your employer about rights and responsibilities.
If you want to be extra careful, you might hire a labour lawyer to read over your employment contract before signing it.