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Your State The Work Place
Conflicts & Discrimination
Workplace Conflicts
Your Rights
On The Job (Includes Whistleblower Rights)
Dealing With Awkward Situations
Losing Or Leaving Your Job
What It Means To
Work In An Employment At Will State
This HR Website advises employers what they can and cannot do and includes changing the terms of employment through revisions to employee
handbooks.
On-the-Job
Rights & Conduct
Learn your rights regarding employment screening and testing, searches and
interrogations, access to your records, workplace safety, office romances and
more.
Plant Closings
And Mass Layoffs
The Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act requires large employers
to provide notification 60 calendar days in advance of plant closings and mass layoffs.
Reporting
Safety & Health Hazards-Your Right Not To Be Fired
Federal law protecting employees from discharge or other retaliation for their disclosure of
safety and health hazards. “Frivolous" complaints are not protected and employees have
the right to refuse to work in hazardous or unsafe situations.
Reporting Fraud On The
Government-Your Right To Collect Some Of The Money Recovered And Still Keep Your
Job (Consumer-SOS)
Qui tam-AKA The Whistle Blower Act, has been, and continues to be, a very effective and successful tool in combating
government procurement and program fraud. This law has armed private citizens, who have independent and direct knowledge of fraud,
with a weapon to prosecute government contractors, and others who are defrauding the
Government, and share in the recovery.
Discrimination
Takes you to the section on Discrimination.
Workplace Safety
Takes you to the section on Workplace Safety.
Insurance & Benefits
Takes you to the section on Insurance & Benefits.
Pay
And Overtime/Compensation
Takes you to the section on Getting Paid.
Time Off
Takes you to the section on Time Off.
Where Else To Go For Help
Your
Rights Under The Qui Tam Whistle Blower Act
Each
year, the United States Treasury loses billions of dollars because of widespread
fraud. Indeed, there are Medicaid
scams, Social Security scams, nursing home scams, defense contractor scams and
countless other scams where the government is billed for services never
rendered.
So
if you know of government fraud and have inside information, consult an attorney
about filing a "Qui Tam action" against the culprit. See 31
U.S.C.A. 3730(b). Through a Qui Tam
action you can report the wrong, keep your job and maybe even collect enough to retire.
Protection
Against Retaliation By Your Employer
Note:
It is a violation of the False Claims Act for an employer to fire you or
discriminate against you because of your disclosures to the government.
If
you have been fired, harassed, threatened or demoted because of your whistle
blowing, The False Claims Act permits you to sue your employer for
reinstatement, plus two times the amount of back pay and for damages caused by his
discriminatory acts. In addition, to the
above,
you can also
collect attorney fees and court costs as well.
The False Claims Act Legal Center
(Taxpayers Against Fraud)
A nonprofit, public interest organization
dedicated to combating fraud against the Federal Government through the
promotion and use of the Federal False Claims Act and its
qui tam
provisions.
Dealing With Awkward Situations
The DOs and DON'Ts of Workplace
Etiquette
Learn how to prevent others from seeing you as unprofessional, disrespectful or
not a team player.
Disagreeing With A Colleague or
Supervisor
Tips to avoid an office spat and what to do if it's too late.
Refusing To Do An Inappropriate Task For Your Boss
How To assess when something is shady and what to do about it.
Mostly when teaching or training or doing seminars.
Also has general tips.
Working Wounded.com
The site for tips and advice, discussion groups, articles and legal
resources.
The DOs and DON'Ts of
Workplace Etiquette
Workplace etiquette is not about being insincere or fake. It's about
consciously toning ourselves down because the work place is naturally very
intense. With so much of life in such a small space, and for such a long time,
and under such pressure and with so many people, the cumulative affect can be
truly overwhelming. And so we leave much of the drama behind as a courtesy to
our fellow colleagues, who also have drama and need a break from it.
I have found that the person who embraces this sensitivity is seen as considerate and a team player. But the person who ignores such is deemed often as uncaring or inconsiderate. (even if it's not true). Workplace etiquette also means conveying the same professionalism in party or business settings where the company's reputation is at stake.
Cosmetic Gestures With Colleagues That Go a Long Way:
DOs
DON’Ts
Softening A Directive Into A Suggestion.
Ask rather than tell. Or you could say “ Well it’s up to you (respects their choice) but I would probably do… “
Learning From Smart Competent People Who Are Also Polite
Find someone in the office or elsewhere that you professionally admire and who is seen by others as polite and professional. You can then take note how these people ask for things or explain things. And equally important, how they tactfully tell someone they disagree with them. Try writing down a few of their introductory sentences and tactful responses. Modify them a bit, so you feel comfortable making them your own, and use them. In my case, I actually copy some of their emails just to see how to be polite and yet say what I need to say.
Lastly, if you get negative feedback on your office etiquette, consider asking a close and trusted friend if these are things you really need to improve on.
Key Actions That Can Cause Misunderstandings
Meetings (Showing Obvious
Disinterest)
Actions
Impact on Others:
Management and supervisors get embarrassed when this is done in front of other
firms or seen by colleagues.
Colleagues and superiors begin to question if you care about the team, care
about your work or care for the company's reputation.
Superiors feel they're being treated with disrespect as they have put their time
and money into training and mentoring you.
Course Language
Actions
Impact on Others:
Embarrassment. Questions may be raised about whether it's safe for you to be
around clients, peers or attend community functions.
Severe Moodiness
Actions:
Impact on Others:
People may think you're always mad at them or that they must walk on
eggshells because you're having another bad day.
People assume you feel your work problems and personal issues are more important
than theirs (They left their personal issues at home but you didn't)
Superiors see anger as disrespect toward them. (What did I do to make him mad at
me? Who Is She To Respond Like That To Me?)
Work atmosphere is dragged down, people clamp up and may not want to communicate
with you for fear of anger, rejection or excessive drama.
People start to pull back from you because they see interactions are fraught with danger not found with other coworkers.
Interaction With Supervisors and Those Senior To You
Actions:
Impact on Others:
People assume a lack of respect or that you feel your needs or deadlines are
more important than their own needs and deadlines.
Assessing The Situation Before You Speak
Damage Control (What To Do If You Think You Went Too Far)
Asking
For A Raise (Brief Tips & Checklist)
Scroll down 1/4th the page.
Tips
On Asking For A Raise
When, how, and how much.
Principles For Negotiating A Raise Or A Higher Job Offer
Income
Calculator
Estimates your weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, and yearly income and even takes out
taxes! Useful when job hunting or negotiating for a raise.
See Negotiating
Your Terms Of Work
Back To Top
Losing Or Leaving Your Job
Changing Your Career (Consumer-SOS)
Unemployment Insurance Benefits (Consumer-SOS)
Insurance & Benefits (Consumer-SOS)
Step by step on what to do and where to go for assistance.
Making
a Smooth Job Transition-How To Walk Out, And In, With Dignity
Tips to help you decide if you're really ready to leave, what to say when
you leave, how to keep good contacts and more.
What
To Do If You Are Fired
Your rights and what you can do to protect yourself.
Losing Or
Leaving A Job (Nolo.com)
Lean about your rights on the way out the door, signing non-compete agreements
and where to send your next resume.
Deadline For
When Your Ex Employer Must Pay You Your Final Pay Check (Chart For All 50
States)
The law in every state is different and some states have no law on this at all.
What It Means To Work In An Employment At Will State
This HR Website advises employers what they can and cannot do and includes firing employees and changing the terms of employment through revisions
to employee handbooks.
Dept Of Labor Occupational Handbook
Learn what the 150 most popular jobs pay, the work conditions there and what skills and education you need to get them. The handbook also tells you what's hot now and what
the
hot jobs should be in the future. An excellent resource especially for college kids who want to plan ahead.
Bad Job
References & Defamation Claims
Restrictive
Covenants Such As Trade Secret Agreements & Covenants Not To Compete.
The
legality of such agreements and what you can do to protect yourself when leaving
a job.
Non-Compete
Contracts-What Workers Can Do About Them
Negotiating A Non-Compete Contract
(Nolo)
Health
Benefits-Keeping Your Insurance When You Lose You Job
Assistance for Needy Families
By State
Welfare assistance in every state and DC.
Where Else To Go For Help
See also Credit & Debt
Back To Top
Discrimination
Under federal law, it is illegal to discriminate based on race, color, religion,
sex (gender), national origin, disability, or age. This means that an
employer cannot hire, fire, promote, demote or transfer a worker based on any of
these factors. Some states have also enacted their own laws which
may give further
protection based on marital status and sexual orientation.
Call your state Department of Labor for details.
| Age | Pregnancy |
| Aids | Race/Color |
| Disability | Religion |
| Federal Contractors | Sex/Sexual Harassment |
| National Origin | Getting Help |
| Misc. |
Age
Age Discrimination: "Don’t Work in the Dark" -- Know Your Rights
Workers are protected against age discrimination in recruitment, hiring, pay, benefits,
training, promotion, job retention and other employment practices.
Short Summary Of
Federal Laws That Protect Workers And When They Apply
Learn who's covered under the ADA, COBRA, ADEA, ERISA, FMLA, FSLA, etc.
Facts About Age Discrimination
Summary of Steps to Maximize a Discrimination Claim (Brief)
Where To Find Help
Back To Discrimination
Aids
Should You
Tell Your Employer That You Have AIDS?
Overview of existing case law throughout the US on whether you have a duty to
disclose you have AIDS. (Very liberal)
Where To Find Help
See Consumer-SOS/Disabilities
Back To Discrimination
Short Summary Of
Federal Laws That Protect Workers And When They Apply
Learn who's covered under the ADA, COBRA, ADEA, ERISA, FMLA, FSLA, etc.
ADA- Reasonable Accommodation
This HR Website advises employers what they can and cannot do in regards to
accommodating the disabled. Covers topics such as Major Life Activities, Conditions That Are
Not Disabilities, Reasonable Accommodations and the Meaning of Undue
Hardship.
Facts
About
The ADA (Americans With Disabilities Act)
Miscellaneous ADA Questions & Answers
ADA - Small Employers
& Reasonable Accommodation
ADA - Your Employment Rights As An Individual With Disabilities
The Americans With Disabilities Act Questions & Answers (Good)
Disabilities & Work (Brochures Mostly From The Dept Of Justice)
EEOC Technical Assistance And Training Programs
The EEOC has a wide variety of fee-based training and technical assistance programs throughout the country
geared to employers, employees and organizations in the private sector.
Where To Go For More ADA Information
Summary Of Steps To Maximize A Discrimination Claim (Brief)
Where To Find Help
For More See Consumer-SOS/Disabilities
Back To Discrimination
Employees
Of Federal Contractors
An executive order discusses protections for covered Federal contractors and
subcontractors from employment discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex and
national origin.
Summary Of Steps To Maximize A Discrimination Claim (Brief)
Facts About National Origin Discrimination
Facts,
Forms & Frequently Asked Questions About National Origin
Discrimination
Information on the Immigration and Nationality Act, steps to take to avoid
immigration-related employment discrimination, and more.
Information
On The Investigation And Prosecution Of Employers Charged With National Origin
& Citizenship Status Discrimination
Short Summary Of
Federal Laws That Protect Workers And When They Apply
Learn who's covered under the ADA, COBRA, ADEA, ERISA, FMLA, FSLA, etc.
Where To Find Help
Back To Discrimination
Short Summary Of
Federal Laws That Protect Workers And When They Apply
Learn who's covered under the ADA, COBRA, ADEA, ERISA, FMLA, FSLA, etc.
Fact About Pregnancy Discrimination
On-the-Job
Benefits and Policies, Including Pregnancy & Family Leave
Learn how women can protect themselves from a host of discriminatory work
policies.
Summary
Of Steps To Maximize A Discrimination Claim
(Brief)
Where To Find Help
Back To Discrimination
Short Summary Of
Federal Laws That Protect Workers And When They Apply
Learn who's covered under the ADA, COBRA, ADEA, ERISA, FMLA, FSLA, etc.
ADA- Reasonable Accommodation
This HR Website advises employers what they can and cannot do in regards to
accommodating the disabled. Covers topics such as Major Life Activities, Conditions That Are
Not Disabilities, Reasonable Accommodations and the Meaning of Undue
Hardship.
Facts About Race/Color Discrimination
Summary Of Steps To Maximize A Discrimination Claim (Brief)
Where To Find Help
Back To Discrimination
Religion
Facts About Religious Discrimination
Short Summary Of
Federal Laws That Protect Workers And When They Apply
Learn who's covered under the ADA, COBRA, ADEA, ERISA, FMLA, FSLA, etc.
Summary
Of Steps To Maximize A Discrimination Claim
(Brief)
Where To Find Help
Back To Discrimination
Sex/Sexual Harassment
Short Summary Of
Federal Laws That Protect Workers And When They Apply
Learn who's covered under the ADA, COBRA, ADEA, ERISA, FMLA, FSLA, etc.
Sex Discrimination, Sex Harassment, And Other Forms of Discrimination
Sexual Harassment (Consumer-SOS)
Landmark US Supreme Court Cases On Sexual Harassment
Equal Pay
Gender Discrimination and Your rights under the Equal Pay Act.
Women And
Hazardous Jobs
A Women's legal right not to be discriminated against doing dangerous work
and what she can do to protect herself.
Pregnancy (Consumer-SOS)
Summary
Of Steps To Maximize A Discrimination Claim
(Brief)
Where To Find Help
Back To Discrimination
Simple
Rules To Scare Off Sexual Harassers (U.S. News & World Report)
Excellent practical advice to get the harasser to stop!
What Is Sexual Harassment?
(Comprehensive, 8 pages)
Sexual
Harassment (Articles From Nolo.com)
Facts About Sexual Harassment (EEOC)
Summary Of Steps To Maximize A Discrimination Claim (Brief)
Illegal Reference Checks (Consumer-SOS)
Prohibited Practices In
the Work Place (Description & Links To Fed Law)
Discrimination
Articles (Nolo.com)
Where To Find Help