Chapter 12 Workplace Legal MattersSucceeding in the World of Work Laws About the Workplace 12.1 SECTION OPENER / CLOSER INSERT BOOK COVER ART Section 12.1 Laws About the Workplace

Chapter 12 Workplace Legal MattersSucceeding in the World of Work Laws About the Workplace 12.1 WHAT YOU’LL LEARN How labor laws and organizations affect the workplace The ways in which antidiscrimination laws protect workers continued

Chapter 12 Workplace Legal MattersSucceeding in the World of Work Laws About the Workplace 12.1 WHAT YOU’LL LEARN How to recognize sexual harassment and take action against it

Chapter 12 Workplace Legal MattersSucceeding in the World of Work Laws About the Workplace 12.1 All employees deserve fair treatment and equal rights on the job. WHY IT’S IMPORTANT

Chapter 12 Workplace Legal MattersSucceeding in the World of Work Laws About the Workplace 12.1 minimum wage compensatory time collective bargaining discrimination affirmative action sexual harassment KEY TERMS

Chapter 12 Workplace Legal MattersSucceeding in the World of Work Laws About the Workplace 12.1 Labor laws are designed to protect you from unfair treatment on the job. It is important that you understand your rights and responsibilities concerning labor laws. Labor Laws

Chapter 12 Workplace Legal MattersSucceeding in the World of Work Laws About the Workplace 12.1 In 1938, the federal government passed the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). This act established a minimum wage. Labor Laws continued

Chapter 12 Workplace Legal MattersSucceeding in the World of Work Laws About the Workplace 12.1 Minimum wage is the lowest hourly wage that an employer can legally pay for a worker’s services. Labor Laws

Chapter 12 Workplace Legal MattersSucceeding in the World of Work Laws About the Workplace 12.1 The FLSA set the 40-hour workweek and created the practice of overtime. When they work overtime, workers may receive compensatory time (paid time off from work) instead of overtime pay. Labor Laws

Chapter 12 Workplace Legal MattersSucceeding in the World of Work Laws About the Workplace 12.1 Child labor laws are another product of the FLSA. The FLSA set the minimum age for factory workers at 16. Labor Laws

Chapter 12 Workplace Legal MattersSucceeding in the World of Work Laws About the Workplace 12.1 The Wagner Act of 1935 (also called the National Labor Relations Act) made it legal to organize labor unions and engage in union activity. The Organization of Labor Unions

Chapter 12 Workplace Legal MattersSucceeding in the World of Work Laws About the Workplace 12.1 The Wagner Act established the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). The NLRB is an independent judicial agency. The Organization of Labor Unions

Chapter 12 Workplace Legal MattersSucceeding in the World of Work Laws About the Workplace 12.1 The NLRB is responsible for determining whether workers wish to be unionized. It also investigates charges of unfair labor practices. The Organization of Labor Unions

Chapter 12 Workplace Legal MattersSucceeding in the World of Work Laws About the Workplace 12.1 Labor unions represent workers in their dealings with employers. Unions negotiate with employers through collective bargaining. Representing Workers continued

Chapter 12 Workplace Legal MattersSucceeding in the World of Work Laws About the Workplace 12.1 Collective bargaining uses the power of numbers (the many workers in a union) to negotiate for better wages, increased benefits, better working conditions, and other job improvements. Representing Workers

Chapter 12 Workplace Legal MattersSucceeding in the World of Work Laws About the Workplace 12.1 If a union cannot reach an agreement with company management, it may use its most powerful tool—a strike. When workers strike, they stop working in an effort to force an employer to agree to the union’s terms. Representing Workers

Chapter 12 Workplace Legal MattersSucceeding in the World of Work Laws About the Workplace 12.1 A labor contract is a legal agreement between the union and an employer. It specifies wages, work hours, working conditions, benefits, and grievance procedures. Representing Workers

Chapter 12 Workplace Legal MattersSucceeding in the World of Work Laws About the Workplace 12.1 If you join a union, you will be asked to pay an initiation fee and regular dues. Unions at Work

Chapter 12 Workplace Legal MattersSucceeding in the World of Work Laws About the Workplace 12.1 Consider these factors before joining a union: Unions at Work the cost of membership, the union’s track record, and the benefits provided to members.

Chapter 12 Workplace Legal MattersSucceeding in the World of Work Laws About the Workplace 12.1 State laws provide for unemployment insurance to help workers cope with the loss of a job. Unemployment insurance provides temporary funds to help you get back on your feet. Unemployment insurance

Chapter 12 Workplace Legal MattersSucceeding in the World of Work Laws About the Workplace 12.1 The Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 allows employees at companies with more than 50 employees to take up to 12 weeks of leave for family or personal medical care or for the birth or adoption of a child. Unemployment Insurance

Chapter 12 Workplace Legal MattersSucceeding in the World of Work Laws About the Workplace 12.1 The Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1990 makes it very difficult for illegal immigrants to find work. Businesses can face huge fines if they break this law. Drawing the Line

Chapter 12 Workplace Legal MattersSucceeding in the World of Work Laws About the Workplace 12.1 Discrimination is unequal treatment based on such factors as race, religion, nationality, gender, age, or physical appearance. DiscriminationDiscrimination

Chapter 12 Workplace Legal MattersSucceeding in the World of Work Laws About the Workplace 12.1 The Civil Rights Act of 1964 bans discrimination in employment based on race, color, religion, or gender. Major Antidiscrimination Laws

Chapter 12 Workplace Legal MattersSucceeding in the World of Work Laws About the Workplace 12.1 The Age Discrimination Act of 1967 makes it illegal to discriminate against people over age 40 in hiring, promoting, or firing employees. Major Antidiscrimination Laws

Chapter 12 Workplace Legal MattersSucceeding in the World of Work Laws About the Workplace 12.1 The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 protect the right of individuals with disabilities such as blindness, visual or hearing impairments, mental illness, or paralysis. Major Antidiscrimination Laws

Chapter 12 Workplace Legal MattersSucceeding in the World of Work Laws About the Workplace 12.1 Some employers are allowed to hire people of a selected age, appearance, or gender if this is necessary for the job. Models and actors, for example, may need to be a particular age or gender. Major Antidiscrimination Laws

Chapter 12 Workplace Legal MattersSucceeding in the World of Work Laws About the Workplace 12.1 Affirmative action is action to give a fair chance to those who have suffered discrimination in the past. Major Antidiscrimination Laws

Chapter 12 Workplace Legal MattersSucceeding in the World of Work Laws About the Workplace 12.1 Sometimes, affirmative action plans set numerical goals for the hiring of ethnic minorities, women, or people with disabilities. Major Antidiscrimination Laws

Chapter 12 Workplace Legal MattersSucceeding in the World of Work Laws About the Workplace 12.1 The Equal Pay Act of 1963 requires equal pay for equal work, regardless of who you are. Equal Rights on the Job

Chapter 12 Workplace Legal MattersSucceeding in the World of Work Laws About the Workplace 12.1 Sexual harassment is any unwelcome behavior of a sexual nature. Sexual Harassment

Chapter 12 Workplace Legal MattersSucceeding in the World of Work Laws About the Workplace 12.1 If the issue is not resolved within your company, inform your local human rights office or the office of the U.S Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Sexual Harassment