Your Workplace Rights
Please select one of the following topics for further information:
Hiring & Classifications
Looking for a new job? Wondering if the questions you were asked at the interview were legal? This section addresses some of the most common issues you may encounter in the hiring process, and how you are classified as a worker may affect your workplace rights.
Discrimination
Are you being treated differently at work? If so, is it because of your race, sex, age, disability, national origin or religion? Wondering what other kinds of discrimination are illegal? Get the facts on workplace discrimination here.
Harassment & Other Workplace Problems
Whether you're being pressured to have sex with your boss, forced to listen to foul language or slurs, or wondering whether the comment you made might get you in trouble, you'll find this information on harassment and other problems you might encounter on the job to be helpful.
Unpaid Wages/Wage & Hour Problems
Not getting paid what your employer owes you? Are you forced to work overtime, but not receiving any extra pay? Get the facts on "wage and hour" laws here.
Benefits & Leaves
For most employees, your job isn't just about the pay, but also what benefits are included. Sick leave, disability leave, family/medical leave--the different kinds of leave you may be allowed to take can be confusing. Get information about health care coverage, pensions, leave eligibility and other benefit-related information here.
Privacy & Workplace Surveillance
Is somebody watching you? It just might be your employer. Find out here what rights to privacy in the workplace you do and do not have.
Health & Safety/Workplace Injuries
Is your workplace unsafe? Are you worried about getting hurt at work? Wondering what to do about it? Have questions about the workers' compensation system? Find the answers here.
Whistleblowing & Retaliation
Fighting back when you see your employer doing something wrong can be scary, and risky. But there are laws that can protect you in a number of situations. Learn more about how you might be protected when you blow the whistle or challenge illegal conduct.
Unions & Collective Action
Facing an organizing campaign at work (or want to get involved in one)? Already a union member but don't understand how things work? Fired for organizing or joining a union? This section covers information about your rights to organize and be in a union, and how unions work.
Termination & Unemployment
Whether you were suddenly fired, laid off, or asked to resign, you'll want to know what happens now that you are out of a job.
© 2020 Workplace Fairness
Practice Areas
The Law Office of Richard Vaznaugh assists plaintiffs in the following areas of employment law: Stock Option Disputes, Age Discrimination, Pensions and Benefits, Trade Secrets, Severance Packages, Physical and Drug Tests, Gender and Sex Discrimination, Libel and Slander, Defamation, Employment Contracts, Employment Discrimination, Sexual Harassment, Family and Medical Leave, Race or Nationality Discrimination, Covenants Not to Compete, Wrongful Termination, Workplace Disputes, Disability Discrimination, Reasonable Accommodation, Pregnancy Discrimination, Pregnancy Leave, Sick Leave, Gay and Lesbian Rights, Wages and Overtime Pay.
Vaznaugh Weekly Weekly
Topic of the Week
Domestic Violence and the Workplace
Domestic violence -- mental or physical abuse at the hands of an intimate partner -- often affects the victims' ability to work.
Blog of the Week
The Longest Strike in America Needs a Political Savior
The longest ongoing strike in America today is happening in the media capital of the world. It involves the people who install and repair the cables that bring the news to many of the most influential people in America. But after three long years, the Spectrum workers of New York City are beginning to feel as though everyone has forgotten about them.
Thought for the Week
"In the aftermath of abuse, survivors immediately need physical safety and financial independence from their abusers... Understandably, it becomes incredibly difficult for survivors to secure and retain work after experiencing trauma...Many of the reasons that survivors have for taking time away from work aren’t covered. They are limited to using unpaid leave for medical treatment, to care for their own serious illness, or to care for a sick or injured family member, but cannot use it to seek legal or law enforcement protection from their abuser, to obtain assistance from a victim services provider, or to relocate or take steps to secure their existing home. "
–Alejandra Y. Castillo; CEO of YWCA USA
List of the Week
from National Domestic Violence Hotline
Domestic Violence and the Workplace
- Nearly 33% of women killed in U.S. workplaces between 2003-2008 were killed by a current or former intimate partner.
- A survey of American employees found that 44% of full-time employed adults personally experienced domestic violence’s effect in their workplaces.
- More than 70% of United States workplaces do not have a formal program or policy that addresses workplace violence.
Top Five News Headlines
- Black bank employee who said white customer sexually harassed her wins $2.4M
- What Gen Z women want as they join the workforce
- Google HR boss steps down during period of employee dissension
- 60 percent of Americans have seen or been victim of discrimination at work, new study finds
- American Workers Are Going On Strike In Huge Numbers