When you go to work, you expect that others will treat you with respect and fairness, and that you will be able to do your job without fear of harassment and discrimination. You also have the right to receive fair pay for the hours you have worked. It is helpful for all employees to know their rights in order to know if they have experienced a violation of those rights. When you know what you have a right to and how to protect your employment rights, you will know what steps to take in the event your employer is taking advantage of you.
If you feel like you are being taken advantage of in your workplace, it may be a valid concern. While you may dismiss this feeling or believe you just need to keep working, it is possible that you are correct — your employer may be taking advantage of you in one or multiple ways. It may be in your interests to explore your options and seek insight regarding what steps you need to take.
Troubling signs with your job
You do not have to suffer in silence if you are experiencing trouble with your job or with your employer. If you feel as if there is something wrong with the treatment you receive, your pay or other critical aspects of your employment, you have the right to speak out. The following are signs that may indicate that you could be experiencing a violation of your rights or that your employer is not treating you fairly:
- Microaggressions and bias — When your employer demonstrates bias in his or her decisions or acts in ways that are aggressive or passive aggressive, it could be a sign of harassment or discrimination.
- Wage theft — If you do not receive proper classification as an employee, you may not be getting the full amount of pay you deserve. Wage theft can also include failure to pay overtime or minimum wage.
- Disrespect — A clear lack of respect is more than an inconvenience. It could indicate that your employer is likely to treat you unfairly in other areas, such as with your pay, your benefits and more.
If there are signs of a problem, it is important to take quick action. These types of cases are time-sensitive, and you do not have to endure problems with your California employer alone or in silence. Violation of your employment rights is grounds to file a formal complaint and pursue legal action, which may include a civil claim against the responsible parties.