Monday, July 18, 2011

Why Would I Need To Know Labor Law Posters


We will all reach a certain age in our lives that will tell us that it is time to work. The time to look for a job that will provide our needs, a job that will pay our monthly expenditures, a job that will help us define ourselves.

Nowadays, various laws were been implemented within and across nations to give protection to every worker. The purpose of the employment and labor rights is to help and guide every employee in their actions concerning labor. We are lucky that in today’s era, there are hundreds of movements towards equality in the workplace. The ironic thing is issues and crimes regarding labor and employment are still escalating. Numerous reports concerning the topic are being reported everyday in different parts of the world. And the possible problem would be is not all employees know his or her labor rights. Millions of people go to work but not all of them know or have knowledge legal labor rights.

Due to such dilemma, a number of nations agreed and implemented the law about labor law posters which requires each and every employer to show at least one for the curious minds of the workers.

Federal labor law posters and state labor law posters both aim to ensure that each and every employee know or have knowledge and fully understand the information about labor rights. It is through these posters that they can see their labor rights concerning specific topics such as the safety of the workplace, proper salary, and discrimination.

But, note that not all employers are required to show all posters. Posters will depend upon the type of business of the company. However, both the federal labor law posters and state labor law posters have similarities in the set of topics which must be included and showed.

1.      Family and Medical Leave
2.      Employee Disabilities Rights
3.      Minimum Wage
4.      Fail Labor Standards Act
5.      Equal Employment Opportunity
6.      Federal Contractors
7.      Polygraph Protection
8.      Veteran Rights
9.      Job Safety and Health

It should be noted that each poster must contain specific information and be put in plain view of the employees.

If a company fails to obey the law, the company will face several charges. The charges in the federal level will also be different from the penalties of the state. Aside from that, the company will also be exposed to other liabilities. Employees of the company could also sue the employer if found not complying the law.

Ohio Labor Employment Law


We could never get enough of employment, of labor. It is part of everyday lives. It is part of every human being’s life. Almost all the inhabitants of this world know the importance of education to get an individual his or dream job. Education would help him or her achieve his or her goals in life and to be successful. Ironically, the image of the world that education had instilled to the minds of the students does not fit the actual happenings in the real world. Once a person had graduated from the four wall of the classroom, he or she will face the real world and hopefully, if not conquer adjust to it.

Employment is a part of the real world. Actual labor or working is very much different from studying. Employment can be drastic and cruel but it still has its fruits which will make it worthwhile. Working, how it may be defined by our teachers could be understand deeply by the students when they, themselves experience it firsthand. Like what the elders had always told the younger generations, experience is the best teacher. And that is truly proven in terms of labor.

Ohio, one of the 50 states in the United States of America. Ohio has its own rules, has its own laws. But, being part of the bigger federal country, Ohio must also comply with the laws and rules implemented by the federal states.

Labor law posters, a law which was implemented both by the federal and the state to help and guide the workers in their employment and labor rights. It would ensure that each and every employee has knowledge about employment rights most especially concerning the safety in the workplace, proper salary, and discrimination.

Ohio labor law posters are the posters being showed to the workers in Ohio to help them in their labor matters. Like the federal labor law posters, Ohio labor law posters also include a set of topics which must be included in the posters.

    The topics are as follows:
  1. Minimum Wage
  2. Fair Employment
  3. Minor Labor Law
  4. Rebuttal Presumption Law
  5. Unemployment Insurance
  6. Workers' Compensation Fraud
  7. Safety & Health Protection on the Job (Public)
  8. Workers' Compensation

State of Ohio would like to give protection to the industrious employees of the state and the requirement of asking every employer to show at least one poster is one way of ensuring the condition of the workers. Failure to do so will charge them penalties and will be exposed to other liabilities.

Thursday, July 14, 2011

Aside from Fashion Posters, Labor Law Posters Also Exist in New York


       New York. The city famous for being technologically advanced. The city known for diversity of people. The city for the people looking for wide range of opportunities. The city as the lounge of fashion industry.  Yes, New York had made it through and achieved the success that still developing countries are aiming for.

       New York, in the map, may be a little city as compared to Texas but do not underestimate its small size and carrying capacity. People had successfully combated the smallness of the city. Skyscrapers were built all around the city to give shelter to millions of inhabitants living there. Skyscrapers are very tall buildings which consist of a large number of rooms to serve as new kind of home to the people there.

       Everyday, thousands of migrants left their home country to go to New York and hopefully find their lucky star there. Many of them look for a job that will help them to provide not only their needs but the needs of their families as well. They look for a job that will bring the success they want to achieve for a very long time. They look for a job that will define them.

       Interestingly, it is not only high-end fashion and luxurious products are posted in the posters in New York. Labor law posters also exist in the city. These posters aim to reach out to employees and give them the information about their labor and employment rights. The purpose of these posters is to for the employees to know and fully understand legal rights most especially regarding to their salary, workplace safety, and discrimination.

       Every employer in New York must comply with this state labor law posters and federal labor law posters. If a company fails to do so, certain penalties await them and will be expose other liabilities. Their employees can also sue them for not doing so.

       New York labor law posters must cover the following set of topics.

  1. Unemployment Insurance
  2. Workers' Compensation
  3. Disability Benefits Law
  4. Minimum Wage Information
  5. Discrimination
  6. Laws Governing the Employment of Minors (Child Labor)
  7. Fringe Benefits
  8. Time Allowed to Vote
  9. Job Safety and Health Protection
  10. Right to Know
  11. Smoking Notices
  12. Standards fro Protection against Radiation
  13. Deduction from Wages
  14. Tip Appropriation
  15. New York Correction Law Article 23-A

It is important to know laws and rights especially in a foreign land. Having knowledge, even though it is very few, will definitely change something. It would be a lot more fun working if you know your legal rights.

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

The Uniqueness of State Labor Posters


Federal labor law posters are amazing ways to capture the interest of the people while teaching them something very valuable. All that the employees need to do is to look up to the posters during their break time and the words will eventually sink into their unconscious. Indeed, a very potent way to arm employees with the proper information about labor rights.

But people already recognize the benefits of having such posters in the workplace. It is a fact which is unchallenged (and it is also the very reason why the state mandates all work places to have such paraphernalia). What needs to be discussed is the reason behind creating a single poster for each of the 50 states in America.

One Poster, One State

There are many reasons why these labor law posters are being manufactured and based per state. The reason is really basic: if the congress were to pass a law, it will still be debated and reviewed in various states before it is applied in that particular area. And thus, one law bill may already passed as a law in one state while it is still pending in another. Thus, to make things simple, these posters were categorized per state.

In addition to that, certain states use languages apart from American English. Depending on the number of people who use a minority language in the US (i.e. French, Spanish), a labor law poster might translate certain passages in another language in order to make room for better understanding among immigrants and dual-citizenship employees alike. A good example is the poster especially made for Florida. The Discrimination Act was included in this poster but beside it is a translation of the same law translated in Spanish. The Florida labor law poster is indeed an amazing feat which only showcases how each state could be different from another.

We cannot deny the fact that each place has a different culture from the others. In the same way, we treat each American state as a unique entity which requires labor posters especially created for that specific state. In this way, people will be able to concentrate on memorizing things that are applicable to their state—and memorizing the rest of the labor laws are based on their discretion already. For as long as they get the gist of what applies to them, the medium (the posters) have succeeded in their task.

Monday, July 11, 2011

Labor Law Posters are a Must



The State and Federal governments required that all businesses post state and federal labor law posters in common areas where employees and potential new hires can readily view them. These labor law posters are critical for businesses to be in compliance with current labor laws dictated by the Department of Labor (DOL). They also help to protect workers by ensuring a safe and fair working environment. The failure to post labor law posters can be costly for businesses and can cause many fines and hardships.

Labor law posters aren’t just pieces of paper that are required to be at the place of employment. They are the current protections that are afforded to each employee that goes to work. Labor law posters typically change several times throughout the year, especially when it comes to minimum wage. The language itself does not change so often, just the actual wage. It is required that employers have the most current and up-to-date labor law posters displayed. Labor law posters can be downloaded from government sites, but most businesses choose to order them online, in combination with labor law update programs, that provide email notification when state or federal labor laws change. This can be a valuable tool for small business owners who have a lot on their plate, as compliance violations can cost hundreds to thousands of dollars. 

Many business owners choose to purchase combination federal and state labor law posters to post in their offices. These easy to read posters ensure that all information is in one location. Labor law posters vary by state, and each has their own posting requirements. An all in one combination poster can give you the peace of mind that all compliance is met.

Labor law posters mean that your business is aware of all current employment laws. Typically, these posters come with a Certificate of Compliance that can also be displayed. Once labor law posters are posted, they should not be forgotten about. It is in every employer’s best interest to stay on top of this information and provide employees with updates as they receive them. Some companies leave this task to their human resource department, while others have training personnel on staff. Any time an employee has questions about labor laws or compliance issues, they should consult the state or federal Department of Labor (DOL) websites, where many tools and resources are available.

Sunday, July 10, 2011

Anti-Discrimination in the Workplace


You’d think that by this day and age, discrimination would be absent from the workplace, but that’s not always the case. Anti-discrimination labor laws are in effect to help protect employees before, during and after their employment. Anti-discrimination laws apply, starting from the minute that you fill out a job application, carry through the hiring process and are a protection against wrongful treatment and termination.

The Department of Labor Standards Enforcement (DLSE) Policy states that all employers must post federal and state labor law posters in order to meet compliance. These labor law posters cover everything from minimum wages to workers compensation to fair and equal treatment in the workplace.

No business in the United States of America can discriminate against an employee or potential employee because of age, sex, race, color, ethnicity, nationality, sexuality or marital status. In some cases, religion and political party cannot be used as a factor. Today, the non-discrimination laws to potential new hires include a stipulation that employers cannot discriminate based on a person being over the age of forty. Though employers may think that this segment of the workforce works at a higher pay rate or slower pace than someone just out of college, the law protects this valuable experienced workforce and gives them the rights of equal treatment.

If an employee does encounter unjust, unfair or discriminatory actions at the workplace, they have the right to file a complaint with the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement (DLSE). The statute of limitations dictates that the complaint must be filed within six months of the act, unless the complaint relating to a violation of child care facilities, whereas the compliant must be filed within ninety days. After filing a complaint, an investigator from the Labor Commissioner’s Office will be assigned the case and will decide if the next step is a hearing or court case.

There are many laws related to anti-discrimination, including the Civil Rights Acts, the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Fair Employment Act which set the precedent for many of the current workplace labor laws that are in effect today. In addition, anti-discrimination labor laws relating to women have played a part in today’s equal opportunity work environment. For examples, the Equal Pay Act gave women the right to earn wages equal to that of the counterparts, while the Pregnancy Non-discrimination Act made it illegal to not hire or to fire a woman because of her pregnancy or intent to get pregnant. It’s a good idea to know the anti-discrimination laws and to ensure that your employer and co-workers are following them as well. Consult the state and federal labor law posters at your place of employment for more information.

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Labor Laws and Your Vacation

Summer is a time for sunshine and get-a-ways to tropical places. But before you book that vacation, it’s a good idea to know your rights as they apply to employment law. More and more employees are being cautious to travel away from the office, in fear of losing their job or being looked upon unfavorably. So what an overworked person to do? To vacation or not vacation – that is the question.

In some states, there are no laws that dictate employers must provide paid or unpaid vacation. However, it is common and enticing for employers to provide some type of vacation package for employees. If the company does offer paid vacation, then certain restrictions are placed by law.

Under most states, earned vacation time is equal to wages. This means that vacation time would accrue as it is earned and cannot be declined, even if fired from the job, regardless of reason. An employer can however set restrictions on employees earning over x amount of vacation hours. If an employee is terminated, vacation time must be paid at the current pay rate.

The Division of Labor Standards Enforcement (DLSE) does not require that an employer provide an employee with vacation immediately upon employment. This means that during a probationary or trial period, no vacation benefits may apply. After the probationary period has passed, a valid vacation plan would dictate that vacation accrues more rapidly based on number of years of employment.

Employers are not legally bound to provide part-time or temporary employees with vacation benefits. Each employer’s vacation policy is usually different, but this information should be covered at time of hire, either in a contract negotiation or in a formal employee handbook. Some employers post vacation information next to federal and state labor law posters, so that all critical information is in one easy to access location. Though state and federal labor law posters are required to be displayed in common areas, there are no posting regulations for vacation policies, as these are not dictated by the government.

Worried about trying to squeeze in a vacation at the end of the year because you think your vacation hours are about to expire? No need to sweat it. Vacation hours cannot legally expire, and therefore roll over into the next fiscal year. Though sometimes trips cannot be avoided, employees are encouraged to coordinate their vacations around times when their job duties can be managed. Questions regarding your upcoming vacation or other information from labor law posters? Check on-site with your HR department, consult the DLSE website, or reference the Department of Labor.