Rights on Site is a resource centre, the aim is to provide information to help people understand their rights when it comes to working in jobs where the environment can be hazardous and impede on the health of its employees.
Employers have obligations and employees have rights to have those obligations met. Here you can find many resources to help you with rights, safety, protection, discrimination, unfair dismissal, employer responsibility and more.
A great resource can also be found on the Australian Government website for Fairwork Ombudsman. – website
Know Your Rights at Work
As an employee, knowing your rights at work is crucial. Federal, state, and common law all protect employees from discrimination and harassment. The Fairwork Ombudsman offers a resource to help you learn about your legal rights at work. It is written by experts and updated to reflect new laws and regulations.
Federal laws also protect workers from unsafe working conditions. If you believe that conditions are unsafe, you can file a confidential complaint with OSHA. You can also ask your employer to have the conditions inspected. If the employer does not correct the problem, you can file a whistleblower complaint with OSHA within 30 days.
The Workplace Relations Act protects employees, as does the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. In addition, there are state and local regulations that employers must follow. Employment laws are complex and often employers do not realize that they are violating them. If you are in doubt, ask your supervisor if they are aware of the law.
Employees also have the right to complain about discrimination. It is illegal for an employer to discriminate against a person due to their race, religion, sex, age, or national origin. It is also illegal to discriminate against a person because of their disability. You may even have a right to request reasonable accommodations at work, like prayer breaks.
Besides these rights, you also have the right to refuse to perform unsafe tasks. This right protects you from harmful work environments and protects you from any possible injuries. If you feel uncomfortable working with a co-worker, you should notify your supervisor immediately. You should also consult your employee handbook if your employer has one.
In case you are a victim of discrimination, you can file an employment discrimination charge with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. However, you must file a complaint within 180 days of the discriminatory act. A union steward can help you file a complaint.