Cooperative Work Experience Education (CWEE) PowerPoint Presentation #3 Spring 2011 Chapter One – Your Employment Relationship Job Savvy: How to be a Success at Work

Resolving Employee Rights Issues There are three factors that Employee Rights are based on: Federal and State Employment Laws Personnel Policies Union Contracts

Federal Employment Laws The federal government places certain restrictions and requirements on all employees. They also place restrictions and requirements on employers. Appendix “A Review of Federal Employment Laws” (in your textbook) discusses important federal employment laws that affect you in the workplace.

State Employment Laws Employment laws are different depending on the state in which you work. To learn more about California’s Employment Laws, visit California Department of Industrial Relations on the web at:

Personnel Policies Most employers have personnel handbooks that are given to each person at the time of hire. These policies usually describe desirable behavior, employee rights, and employee benefits. Most courts view personnel policies to be a formal contract between the employee and employer.

Union Contracts Employers sign contracts with different labor unions, depending on the various types of work that employee do at their companies. For example, here at West Hills College Lemoore, administration has signed contracts with the California Community College Faculty Association (the labor union for the teachers) and the California School Employees Association (the labor union for the classified staff).

Grievances A Grievance is a formal disagreement between employee and their employer. Grievances are usually the result when an employer is perceived to not be in accordance to employment laws/policies. An employee who is filing against a company for not falling employment laws is called a, “whistle blower.” Whistle blowers are protected by laws to prohibit employers from bringing retaliatory problems against the whistle blower.

How Do I Make a Grievance? If you are under a labor contract, you must follow their procedures. For those employees not under a labor contract, please refer to your personnel policy manual or handbook.

How Do I Make a Grievance? (continued) Generally, an employee will file a grievance with their supervisor. Allow them the time and opportunity to fix the situation. Many times, the issue is just a misunderstanding. If the problem continues, contact the human resources office. If the problem continues, contact the appropriate government agency that oversees this type of law enforcement. For example, if the employment issue is diversity, then you would want to contact the local office of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. If you do not know what agency to contact, contact the California Department of Industrial Relations.

Other Resources U.S. Department of Labor National Labor Relations Board

The End, At Last You have come to the end of this lesson. Now, for your question… In three – five sentences, name one area of employment rights that you feel your employer could improve on. What could they be doing better? your answer to This is your last PowerPoint lesson for this semester.