It’s not only companies that need to keep themselves protected. Did you know that you, as an employee, need to protect yourself legally speaking? Anyone who’s climbing the career ladder needs to know and understand this because you don’t want to have any accidents that could put your career or even your entire livelihood into jeopardy. Needless to say, this is indeed a dynamic world of work, so it’s crucial to be aware of your rights and legal protections as an employee.
Basically, this is anywhere around the world; you’ll need to think about it. No matter what employee rights there are, it’s still best to always stay a step ahead. Employment laws exist to safeguard your interests and ensure fair treatment in the workplace. So, as an employee, how can you legally protect yourself? Well, here’s exactly what you need to know.
Know Your Employment Contract
Even if you don’t have a permanent contract with your company, there’s a very high chance that you’re still going to have some type of contract with your employer. So, understanding your employment contract is the first step to legal protection. You’re absolutely going to want to ensure you have a written contract that outlines your terms of employment, including salary, working hours, notice periods, and any benefits. If you don’t have one, request it from your employer, but chances should be high that you already received one when signing up for this position. Be sure to review it carefully and seek legal advice if needed.
While it’s already a given why it’s needed, because this should state what the company is compliant for and general agreements between two parties, if something like a lawsuit were to occur, such as workplace investigation lawyers needing to get involved, then you can definitely count on them requesting to see your employment contract.
You Need to Know Your Employment Rights
Not every country in the world is going to have employment rights; as unfortunate as that is, it’s the truth. Most countries in the Western Hemisphere, particularly in Europe, like the UK, have a lot of employment rights. Some of the basic ones include the right to a minimum wage, paid holidays, maternity leave, and protection against discrimination.
No matter what country you’re living in, you’ll need to make sure you are aware of these rights by visiting the official government website or consulting with a legal expert. Sometimes, there are grey areas, such as cruise ships or airlines, due to these usually following employment laws where the company is registered. So, look out to see if there’s a grey area for the company you’re working for.
Have an Understanding of the Grievance Procedures
The last thing anyone wants to deal with is a toxic workplace where discrimination and harassment run rampant; no one deserves to work in those sorts of conditions. Most workplaces have grievance procedures in place for addressing disputes or concerns. If you have a problem with your employer, colleagues, or working conditions, follow these procedures as outlined in your employment contract or company policies. It’s essential to document your grievances and maintain a record of communication. You have complete rights to this.