Labour Law in the Modern Legal System: Facts That Every Worker and Business Owner Must Know

If you are having problems at work and trying to discover what protections you have as a worker it can be incredibly difficult to navigate the legalities surrounding this topic. Federal labour laws offer many more protections for workers than were previously offered. Modern labour laws recognize that there are areas in which employers need to provide for and protect their workers, but how can you find this information when you need it? How do you know what protections are offered to you as a worker, and how can you ensure you are receiving all the rights and protections the law offers to you?

Many laws surround labour in the modern world, for both labourers and employers, and here are some of the most important facts that everyone should know, to protect their rights and ensure they are meeting their responsibilities. When workers accept employment they are entering into a contract with their employers, and employers and employees both have to follow certain rules to ensure a healthy and fair working relationship.

Here are the most important facts that everyone should know regarding modern labour laws in Florida.

Minimum Wage

Workers are required to be paid a minimum wage per hour worked and this is mandated by federal and state law. The minimum wage is subject to an increase every year, and if the minimum wage is not met then employees have a right to seek legal action against their employers. While minimum wage differs by state, there is a federal minimum wage that must be met. In Florida, the state minimum is set higher than the federal wage, so it is important to make sure your wage, or what you pay your employees, matches the state minimum wage, not only the federal minimum. 

If your employer is not paying at least this minimum wage, then you may be able to seek compensation. For an employer, it is important to pay your workers within this wage, to avoid legal ramifications from underpaying your employees.

Working Hours and Breaks

The hours you are allowed to work every day and week are protected by law. Employers cannot force overtime on the worker and need to ensure workers have a minimum time to rest in between shifts. Employers are also required to provide a break for meals after 4 hours of work, and no worker can be made to work longer without being provided with a break. If your employer does not allow for breaks, you may have the ability to seek restitution. For employers, it is important to remember that your employees are protected by law and breaks are very important. Well-rested employees work more effectively and efficiently and are happier in the workplace. 

Respecting laws that protect the amount of time worked every given shift, and how breaks are given within those shifts benefits everyone, so breaks and shift maximums must be respected.

Workers Compensation

When workers are injured at work, they are entitled to compensation, and while this can often be a very difficult to navigate process, protections are in place to protect workers. If you are in Florida and have been injured at work and are struggling to seek restitution it is important to seek advice from a workers’ compensation lawyer in Fort Lauderdale, who will be able to help walk you through the process. These protections are in place to ensure workers are not injured and left struggling should they be off of work for any given time. No one should struggle to feed their family due to a work-related injury, and the impetus is on employers to protect their employees while completing their jobs. Workers’ compensation laws are incredibly important, as they ensure workers receive fair pay for jobs rendered and are protected in the event of an injury while carrying out their jobs.

Both employers and employees should become familiar with workers’ compensation laws, to make sure they are both holding up their end of the requirements.

Fair Employment Practices

Employers must know that the hiring process is protected under the law. From gender, age to disability, multiple factors cannot be considered when hiring. Fair employment practices mean that employers cannot ask certain questions when it comes to interviews, such as sexual orientation or religion. If employers do not follow the laws regarding these considerations there can be considerable blowback and possible litigation to follow. When hiring and firing workers, fair employment practices must be followed to the letter, to avoid any complaints or issues from labour boards.

Workers need to know about these practices so that they are aware of their rights in the event of issues arising such as possible discrimination or refusal of employment for unfair reasons. Fair employment practices are in place to protect workers, and ensure that jobs are given based on a person’s qualifications for the job and nothing else.

Safe Worksites

All workers have the right to feel safe and protected at work, and this falls to the employer to ensure safe work site policies are followed. From personal protective equipment, to hazard assessment protocols, workers and employers need to work together to ensure that all work is performed safely. Employees are required to report injuries, near-miss incidents and should feel safe and protected if they need to bring worksite safety issues up with their supervisors. 

Ensuring that worksites are safe can reduce injury, medical expenses, and lost time, as well as help the employers to avoid legal issues and shutdowns due to unsafe work environments. Maintaining safe workplaces and keeping workers safe is a responsibility that falls on the shoulders of employers and workers alike.

While there’s a multitude of laws that protect workers, the considerations for workers and employers listed above are some of the most important and that have the greatest effect on workers’ lives, income, and quality of work. These factors are also the responsibilities that are most important for employers, to respect workers’ rights and treat them fairly. Labour laws are incredibly important, to maintain good employer-employee relations and should be respected at all costs.