An environment that almost every American is in for multiple hours every day is their workplace. Many people want to feel like they will be safe when they go to work, and that they won’t be taken advantage of by another employee or their employer. Unfortunately, there are many ways that your employer could be exploiting you and taking advantage of your work. Here are some signs of possible exploitation that you should look out for.
Wages and Employment Laws
First, it’s important to be aware of the employment rights laws and organizations that protect you, and that you can use against your employer when they try to break a law. Two of the most important employment rights laws are the Equal Pay Act (EPA) and the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The EPA requires that men and women in their shared workplace be given equal pay. As a woman, one way your employer could exploit you is by giving you unfair wages compared to male employees.
The FLSA establishes a minimum wage, overtime pay, record-keeping standards, and youth employment standards. Another way your employer can exploit you is by not paying you overtime, or not paying you fair overtime wages. This could also include not getting paid for meals or rest breaks.
These laws and others are enforced by federal agencies like the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). The EEOC administers and enforces civil rights laws, like those requiring that no employer discriminates against an employee based on their race, color, religion, sex, age, disability, or genetic information. An easy way for an employer to take advantage of you is to harass you based on your physical appearance, ethnic or racial identity, or sexual orientation. Sexual harassment, one of the most common methods of employee exploitation, is also something that the EEOC can investigate.
Braid Pezzaglia has handled unpaid wages and other employment law cases for nearly 20 years. He has held accountable businesses that take advantage of their workers. The Law Offices of Braid Pezzaglia can help you settle an employment law case and help you get the hard-earned wages you deserve.