Employment Law FAQ For Employees

How Do Employees Get Reasonable Workplace Accommodations For Their Disabilities?

The burden is on the employee to request a reasonable accommodation, such as equipment or adjustments to the employee’s work schedule. Then the employer has the responsibility to work with the employee to agree on reasonable accommodations that allows the worker to perform their duties, such as equipment or an adjusted work schedule.

What Is Wrongful Termination?

Employers generally have the ability to fire an employee for any reason, business-related or not. However, state and federal laws prohibit firing a worker because of characteristics like the worker’s race, gender, national origin, religion, age or parental status. Neither can you be fired as retaliation for reporting sexual harassment or acting as a whistleblower to the police or a government agency. People who lose their job for these reasons may have an employee cause of action for wrongful termination.

In A Job Interview, Can The Interviewer Ask Me Personal Questions?

The law prohibits questions about your medical history or if you have any disabilities, though a prospective employer can ask you if you are able to perform the duties of the job with or without reasonable accommodations. They may not ask you about your race, national original, or religion. Questions about your family status or if you plan to have children are illegal. So are questions about if you have ever participated in union organizing or a strike, or if you have ever been arrested. Questions about if you have ever been convicted of a crime are allowed.

Can My Employer Not Pay Me For Rest Breaks?

Under the law, you are entitled to be paid for short breaks. Your employer can require you to punch out for meal breaks, but only if the break lasts at least 30 minutes.

More Questions About Employee Protections In The Law?

Bring us your questions about your rights and if you have a valid claim against your employer in Washington, D.C., or the Virginia suburbs. Call 703-378-5000 to reach Hantzes & Associates.