10 Rights You Should Know As An Employee

All employees have basic rights in the workplace. Employment law covers all rights and obligations within the employer-employee relationship; whether current employees, job applicants, or former employees. Even if this may sound simple, many employees still don’t know what their rights and obligations are.

1. No worker may be retaliated against for demanding the rights set out in the Basic Conditions of Employment Act

2. Senior managers, traveling sales staff, and those that work under 24 hours per month excluded, employees may not work for more than 12 hours of overtime each week

3. An extended weekend may be arranged by way of a compressed work week of no more than 12 hours per day.

4. Any employee agreeing to work an 11pm to 6am shift must be debriefed on the health and safety risks, as well as compensated for regular medical examinations.

5. Employer may not take annual leave hours away from employees while they are enjoying special leave privileges such as maternity or sick leave.

6. Family responsibility leave may be taken on account of the birth or sickness of a child, or the death of a spouse, child, parent, grandparent, grandchild, or sibling.

7. Deductions may only be made from an employee’s pay if they are agreed to in writing and are either a legal requirement, or part of a collective agreement, arbitration award or court order.

8. Four weeks notice must be provided employees of more than one year before termination of their labor contract.

9. Employees must be permitted to challenge their dismissals on the basis of established labor policy.

10. Collective agreements via the Bargaining Council may differ from the Act as long as worker protection is not reduced as regards health, safety, or family responsibilities
In addition to investigating complaints, Labor Inspectors must notify employees of their rights and responsibilities