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Your Rights On The Job

10 Facts About Employment Law (CA) Covers common questions about getting fired, getting paid late, access to your personal file, accruing vacation time, references from former employers, unpaid medical leave, wage deductions, and whether you should be paid overtime.  

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

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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. 

To combat this problem, Congress has passed laws encouraging private citizens to ferret out fraud and expose wrongdoing.  Under the Federal False Claims Act, private individuals with inside information can sue wrongdoers caught defrauding the U.S. government.  If you win you can collect up to 30% of what the government recovers. In some cases, such as when the fraud is large and widespread, your reward could make you a millionaire.

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. 

Where To Get Help

Government Accountability Project (GAP)
Non-profit group that promotes government and corporate accountability through advancing occupational free speech and ethical conduct, defending whistleblowers, and empowering citizen activists.

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.

U.S. Office Of Special Counsel (800) 872-9855
To report fraud on the Government.


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Dealing With Awkward Situations

People Who Talk Too Much & How To Respond To Them (Consumer-SOS)

How To Keep Your Job & Protect Yourself Before and After You Become Unemployed (Consumer-SOS)

How To Resign Properly

Refusing To Do An Inappropriate Task For Your Boss  
How To assess when something is shady and what to do about it.

Dealing With Difficult People (Links & Articles)
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.

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Asking For A Raise

Asking For A Raise (Brief Tips & Checklist)
Scroll down 1/4th the page.

Tips On Asking For A Raise
When, how, and how much.

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.

Principles For Negotiating A Raise Or A Higher Job Offer

See Negotiating Your Terms Of Work

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Losing Or Leaving Your Job 

Questions & Answers About Wrongful Termination (CA)

How To Keep Your Job & Protect Yourself Before and After You Become Unemployed (Consumer-SOS)

Changing Your Career (Consumer-SOS)

Unemployment Insurance Benefits (Consumer-SOS)

Wrongful Termination (CA)

Can't Pay Your Rent, Mortgage or Utilities? (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.

10 Facts About Employment Law (CA) Covers common questions about getting fired, getting paid late, access to your personal file, accruing vacation time, references from former employers, unpaid medical leave, wage deductions, and whether you should be paid overtime.  

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.

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

CalWORKs Supportive Services (CA)
Welfare.

CalWORKs Supportive Services (Chinese) (CA) 
Welfare.

CalWORKs Supportive Services (Spanish) (CA)    
Welfare.

Assistance for Needy Families By State
Welfare assistance in every state and DC.

Where Else To Go For Help

See also Credit & Debt

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Changing Your Career

Do What You Love and Convince Employers To Hire You For It (Consumer-SOS)
Get hired for the skills you enjoy using most. Includes self discovery questionnaire and how to convert your hobbies and talents into transferable skills employers value.

Jobs For People Age 50 & Up (Consumer-SOS)

Find Your Life Mission & Work The Job You Love

Escaping A Dull Job

Resume Action Words (Consumer-SOS)

Finding The Perfect Job
Scroll down to the bottom for free advice on finding out what you really like to do and how to make money at it.

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 will be the hot jobs of the future. An excellent resource especially for college kids who want to plan ahead.

Career Guide To Industries Handbook
Provides information on available careers by industry, including the nature of the industry, working conditions, employment, occupations in the industry, training and advancement, 
earnings and benefits, employment outlook, and lists of organizations that can provide additional information. 

Wages By Area & Occupation

US Economy At A Glance (Find Economic Hotspots)
To view a region, state, or metropolitan area economy at a glance page, please click on the state abbreviation on the map below or scroll down to the alphabetical list.

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Resume Action Words

Action Verbs For Cover Letters and Resumes

By Skill Categories

By Alphabetical Listing


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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.

                             Back To The Work Place

Age

Employment Discrimination (CA) 

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


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Aids

Accommodations on the Job (CA) 
Site being revised.  Go to http://www.las-elc.org/factshtinvent.html and search for your topic there.

Privacy On the Job and in Applying for Jobs (CA) 
Site being revised.  Go to http://www.las-elc.org/factshtinvent.html and search for your topic there.

Drug Testing (CA) 
Search for other topics of interest at http://www.las-elc.org/factshtinvent.html.

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


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Disability

Employment Discrimination (CA) 

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

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Federal Contractors

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)

Where To Find Help

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National Origin

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


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Pregnancy

Insurance (CA) [Women's Rights Handbook]
Information on Medical Insurance, Auto Insurance, Life Insurance and Private Disability Insurance, with an emphasis on women discrimination issues.

Pregnancy Discrimination (CA)

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

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Race/Color

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


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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

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Sex/Sexual Harassment

Insurance (CA) [Women's Rights Handbook]
Information on Medical Insurance, Auto Insurance, Life Insurance and Private Disability Insurance, with an emphasis on women discrimination issues.

Sexual Harassment (All About Sexual Harassment)

Can My Employer Force Me to Agree to Arbitrate Any Employment Dispute-Even A Sexual Harassment Claim? (CA)

Pregnancy Discrimination (CA)

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

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 

Summary Of Steps To Maximize A Discrimination Claim (Brief)

Where To Find Help


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Sexual Harassment

Sexual Harassment (CA) 

What Is Sexual Harassment? (Comprehensive, 8 pages)

Simple Rules To Scare Off Sexual Harassers (U.S. News & World Report)  Excellent!!! Pay the 2 bucks!!!!

Sexual Harassment (Articles From Nolo.com)

Facts About Sexual Harassment (EEOC)

Summary Of Steps To Maximize A Discrimination Claim (Brief)

Where To Find Help

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Getting Help

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)(800) 669-4000
The EEOC handles issues relating to discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or age.

Filing A Charge With The EEOC
How to file a complaint if you believe you have been discriminated against by an employer, labor union or employment agency when applying for a job or while on the job because of your race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, or disability. 

Free Or Low Cost Lawyers by Specialty  (Consumer-SOS)

U.S. Department Of Labor Phone #'s (All 50 States & DC)

State Departments Of Labor (All 50 States & DC)
Enforces compliance with state wage and hour laws.

EEOC Quick Start -- Employees
Details issues relating to workplace discrimination, including information on various forms of harassment and how to file a claim and contact the EEOC.

Facts About EEOC Mediation 

Questions And Answers About EEOC Mediation

EEOC Mediation Contact List

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Mediation Index
Mediation can help you resolve your employment disputes and reach a voluntary, negotiated agreement. Choosing mediation to resolve employment discrimination disputes promotes a better work environment, reduces costs and works for the employer and the employee.

EEOC Technical Assistance And Training Programs

Where Else To Go For Help

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Misc.

Illegal Reference Checks (Consumer-SOS)

Prohibited Practices In the Work Place (Description & Links To Fed Law)

Discrimination Articles (Nolo.com)


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