Employment law governs the relationship between employers and employees and the rights, duties, and obligations of each. The study of employment law involves labor relations in unionized settings, human resources, discrimination law, compensation law, workplace safety, unemployment, workers' compensation, and other topics. Employment relationships may be governed by collective bargaining agreements, employment contracts, or at-will employment. Both employers and employees should be aware of federal and state laws related to employment.
At A Glance
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Employers generally expect employees to be in attendance and on time, working in the best interests of the employer to further its goals. Employees are expected to track and log their time correctly, and they should follow all laws, and policies and procedures of the employer. Employers also have the responsibility to ensure the safety of the workplace, remain viable as a business, and compete with other businesses.
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Employees have the right to a safe and healthy place of work, fair and timely pay, and fair treatment, as well as a very limited amount of privacy. Employees may also need access to certain resources required to do the jobs assigned and have a right to a discrimination-free workplace. Certain employees have a right to unemployment and workers' compensation benefits.
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Workplace antidiscrimination statutes exist to ensure that persons who belong to certain protected classes receive equal treatment compared to people who are not in the protected class.
- Certain types of treatment and tests allow entities and government administrative agencies to determine whether workplace discrimination exists.
