Are you one of the over 500,000 entrepreneurs who’ll be starting their own business this year? Do you know all the ins and outs involved in employing other people to work for you?
Ignorance can be a costly affair when it comes to workers’ rights violations. Don’t assume you know what’s best for your workers.
Rather brush up on the basics as well as new legislation right now. These are the major workers’ rights you must take into consideration.
Workers’ Rights to Safety at Work
OHS regulations are one of the toughest formulas to following in modern-day business. These rules center on keeping your workers safe and protecting them from loss of life or permanent disability.
Even if you don’t work in a risky industry like construction, you need to ensure your workplace stays free of hazards.
Another stringently enforced rule is that of workers’ compensation. You must take out this insurance to help your employees pay for any medical treatment related to work injuries.
If you don’t you’ll face heavy fines and severe repercussions.
According to Sweet Lawyers, in some states, you can get financial help for your injured employees even if you aren’t covered by workers’ compensation. Know your state laws before you take chances in this seriously litigious area.
Nowadays, there’s a slew of extra safety precautions relating to communicable diseases. So, make sure you know these and follow them to the letter.
Employees’ Right To Time Off
One of the major changes for 2021 that applies to leave revolves around leave in the case of serious illness.
Up until now, employers haven’t had very clear-cut rules regarding paid leave for family responsibilities and sick leave. Now, in the light of the recent pandemic, the list of workers’ rights just got longer.
As of 1 January 2021 all employees may take up to 20 weeks of paid, job-protected leave per year in certain situations. These include serious health conditions. From July, they’re also entitled to paid leave for up to 12 weeks per year if they need to care for a seriously ill family member.
The Right to Freedom From Discrimination
Anti-discrimination laws have always been strictly enforced, and they’ve just got tougher. According to the Americans with Disabilities Act, employers must cater to disabled employees in every area of the workplace.
Thanks to the high risks involved in contracting COVID-19, it’s a good idea for employers to make special provisions for those with an elevated risk of developing server symptoms.
Several court cases in recent times have seen employees with asthma and other illnesses win in court against employees who failed to protect them in the workplace.
Casual Workers Rights
Casual workers have fewer entitlements than full-time employees, but they’re also protected from abuse.
Although casual workers don’t get benefits or paid leave, they’re entitled to at least the minimum wage, and employers must allow them regular breaks.
Naturally, all the laws concerning safe working conditions and freedom from discrimination apply to these workers too.
The Road to Success
As a business owner, knowledge is the foundation of your operations. You might know your industry backward, but there’s always something new to learn in modern times.
Stay up to date with the latest workers’ rights updates, tech innovations, and other pertinent business news by bookmarking our site and checking back regularly.
The Role of Technology in the Global Design Industry
