Employee Rights -

1) The Right to Be Safe and Healthy :
The most clear and straightforward of all worker's rights is the right to physical safety. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), handles any violations that fall under illness and injury – such as being in the presence of toxic substances, or being cut by a blade while on the job. Sadly, over 4,000 individuals died at work in 2014, proving just how essential OSHA is.

2) The Right to be treated equally :
The media rarely gives much attention to labor laws, but several discrimination cases have made local and national news in recent years, sparking a renewed interest in social justice around the country. In 2013, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), which processes some discrimination cases, received nearly 100,000 charges.

3) The Right to Reasonable Hours and Fair Pay :
The Fair Labor Standards Act outlines the current rules in place for hours and wages. Those covered under this act are guaranteed at least time and a half pay when their weekly work schedule exceeds 40 hours. The act does not require additional pay for weekends or holidays, unless overtime is worked on those days. Beginning December 2016, overtime rights will be extended to approximately 4 million white collar workers, including 2.4 million women. Under this new overtime law, employers can limit work to 40 hours per week and/or raise the salary threshold for overtime pay eligibility (from $455 per week to $915 per week).

4) The Right to Report Problems, or Whistleblower Protection :
Oftentimes, one of the primary reasons workplace infractions continue to occur is because all employees are wary of "ratting out" their company. They may fear serious repercussions, such as being fired or demoted, or even more minor ones, like being given fewer hours, or being disliked by their bosses or coworkers. These are reasonable fears. However, no one is lawfully obligated to work in precarious conditions. Luckily, whistleblower protection laws address this delicate subject, providing protection to employees who fear retaliation from their employer. If an employee does decide to report a company for breaking a law and the employer retaliates, this too can be reported within a specific timeframe.