In many work places, the boss is someone who commands respect. He or she is often someone workers look up to and inspires them to work hard. However, many laws and regulations govern their conduct. And, whether intentionally or mistakenly, their conduct may break the law and violate your rights.
Illegal and improper activities generally fall into three general categories: Discrimination laws; wage and hour laws; and whistleblower laws.
For example, Title VII prohibits employers from discriminating against protected workers based on their race, gender, color, religion or national origin. Your employer is prohibited from taking negative actions -such as firing, failing to hire or promote, or other negative employment action based on your inclusion in one of these protected categories.
Your employer may also act improperly or illegally when it comes to wage and hour practices. The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) provides that workers are entitled to earn at least minimum wage and non-exempt workers must be paid overtime compensation for hours worked in excess of 40 hours in any work week.
The failure to pay an employee all that he or she is entitled to may constitute an FLSA violation. Further, job misclassifications such as classifying a worker as exempt when they’re non-exempt (and thus denying them overtime pay), or as an independent contract rather than employee, may also be prohibited.
Often these violations are made unwittingly. However, regardless of how or why violations occur, workers should not bear the burden of workplace discrimination or violations.
For more information, please contact the experienced Georgia employment lawyers at Buckley Bala Wilson Mew LLP for an immediate case evaluation.