Common Employment Law Questions
Employment Law
Employment laws exist to protect both employees and employers. They can be found at many different levels of government including state and federal levels. An employment lawyer in New Jersey will tell you that these laws are put into place to make workplaces safe for all parties involved. Employers must keep up on the laws to ensure that they are providing a safe workplace for their employees that is free from harassment and discrimination. Employees must have a good understanding of employment laws so that they can be sure their rights are not being violated and be sure they are working in a safe and legal environment. There are many different areas of employment law and employment lawyers in New Jersey are often asked some of the following questions.
Is there a difference between employment law and labor law?
Yes. Employment laws deal largely with the relationship between employees and employers while labor laws deal largely with the relationship between labor organizations such as unions and employers. Employment laws are designed to ensure that employees are treated fairly and often address topics of discrimination, personal safety, wages, hiring and firing, and whistleblowing. There are a number of acts that have made these policies clear including the Americans With Disabilities Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Fair Labor Standards Act, and the Medical Leave act. In addition to these large pieces of legislation there are a variety of other laws at both the state and federal levels that define what is allowed and what is illegal in regards to relationships between employees, employers, and labor organizations.
What is employment discrimination?
Employment discrimination is generally defined as a situation where an employee is treated in a certain way based on a protected category such as race, ethnicity, sex, or religious affiliation. Title VII of the Federal Civil Rights Act of 1964 makes discrimination in the workplace illegal at the federal level and many state laws also outlaw discriminatory practices. This type of discrimination can occur practically anytime, whether it happens during the hiring process, when choosing employees for promotion, or just on the daily job site. In order to prove that an employer has discriminated against an employee, the employee would have to show that an action was taken based on a protected category that adversely affected them in the workplace. Unintentional discriminatory action by an employer is called a “disparate impact.”
What constitutes sexual harassment?
Sexual harassment is prohibited at the federal level by title VII of the Federal Civil Rights Act of 1964 and at the state level by many state statutes and laws. The Federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has created a definition of sexual harassment that defines the practice as, “unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature.” Under these laws, employers are not allowed to make decisions based on a person’s gender, ethnicity, race, or sexual orientation. Employers must also protect workers from sexual harassment in the workplace in order to maintain an environment that is free from intimidation.
Employment law is vast and can be confusing at first. It is important for both employers and employees to understand the various complexities of the laws in order to maintain safe working environments. Problems of discrimination and harassment in the workplace can be resolved easily if both employer and employee are aware of their rights and responsibilities. There are some practices such as discrimination based on gender, race, or ethnicity that are simply not allowed by law. These laws come from both the state and federal levels.
Is there a difference between employment law and labor law?
Yes. Employment laws deal largely with the relationship between employees and employers while labor laws deal largely with the relationship between labor organizations such as unions and employers. Employment laws are designed to ensure that employees are treated fairly and often address topics of discrimination, personal safety, wages, hiring and firing, and whistleblowing. There are a number of acts that have made these policies clear including the Americans With Disabilities Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Fair Labor Standards Act, and the Medical Leave act. In addition to these large pieces of legislation there are a variety of other laws at both the state and federal levels that define what is allowed and what is illegal in regards to relationships between employees, employers, and labor organizations.
What is employment discrimination?
Employment discrimination is generally defined as a situation where an employee is treated in a certain way based on a protected category such as race, ethnicity, sex, or religious affiliation. Title VII of the Federal Civil Rights Act of 1964 makes discrimination in the workplace illegal at the federal level and many state laws also outlaw discriminatory practices. This type of discrimination can occur practically anytime, whether it happens during the hiring process, when choosing employees for promotion, or just on the daily job site. In order to prove that an employer has discriminated against an employee, the employee would have to show that an action was taken based on a protected category that adversely affected them in the workplace. Unintentional discriminatory action by an employer is called a “disparate impact.”
What constitutes sexual harassment?
Sexual harassment is prohibited at the federal level by title VII of the Federal Civil Rights Act of 1964 and at the state level by many state statutes and laws. The Federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has created a definition of sexual harassment that defines the practice as, “unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature.” Under these laws, employers are not allowed to make decisions based on a person’s gender, ethnicity, race, or sexual orientation. Employers must also protect workers from sexual harassment in the workplace in order to maintain an environment that is free from intimidation.
Employment law is vast and can be confusing at first. It is important for both employers and employees to understand the various complexities of the laws in order to maintain safe working environments. Problems of discrimination and harassment in the workplace can be resolved easily if both employer and employee are aware of their rights and responsibilities. There are some practices such as discrimination based on gender, race, or ethnicity that are simply not allowed by law. These laws come from both the state and federal levels.