Employees have specific rights in the workplace, none of which should be violated by employers. Even though those rights are normally respected, there are times when employees may have to speak up about illegal activities within the company. Some of those may be wary...
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Employment Law – Workers
What does it mean to be protected from religious discrimination?
This time of year, Christmas is the holiday that dominates the media and public conversation – not to mention the stores. However, multiple religions celebrate holidays in November and December. This seems like a good time to discuss the legal protections against...
Who can take unpaid leave under the FMLA?
The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) helps employees to achieve a relatively healthy work-life balance. Provided that the circumstances meet the standards included in the law, professionals can request up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave annually under the FMLA. What...
How a company’s culture can encourage sexual harassment
Sexual harassment in the workplace is not just the result of individual misconduct; it is often a reflection of a deeper, systemic problem rooted in a company’s culture. Culture shapes behavior. It defines what is acceptable, what is ignored and what is punished. ...
When can employers refuse to honor a severance agreement?
Accepting a new job opportunity comes with a degree of risk. Employees never know until after they start a job whether the culture at the new company is a proper fit for them. Their job might not be as stable as they might hope. Seemingly successful businesses may...
Don’t vent about your employer online
When work is stressful or unfair, it can be tempting to take your frustrations online. However, posting negative comments about your employer on social media can do more harm than good—and in some cases, it could even hurt your ability to protect and/or exercise your...
The job protection rights of non-provisional federal workers
Non-provisional federal workers (those who have completed their probationary period) generally enjoy strong job protection rights under federal employment law. Unlike private-sector employees who may work “at-will” and can often be terminated without cause, most...
How does FMLA protect your job?
The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) allows eligible employees to take unpaid leave for specific family and medical reasons. This federal law protects your job while you handle personal or health-related matters. If you work in Virginia, state laws may provide...
Why mergers or downsizing may lead to unfair discrimination
Many employment law matters involve issues related to work contracts or statutory requirements. Employers have numerous obligations that they must fulfill or risk facing legal action brought by workers. When companies violate safety rules or ignore the terms of an...
When to tell an employer you need accommodations for a disability
Starting a new job can feel exciting, but it can also bring challenges, especially when needing accommodations for a disability. Many people wonder when the right time is to disclose their disability to an employer. The laws around disclosure aim to protect employees...