Off-Duty Conduct
Off-Duty Conduct There is no single law protecting the rights of employees while they are off work. Instead, other areas of the law, such as discrimination, drug testing, and harassment laws, protect an employee’s off-duty conduct. Therefore, each different off-duty conduct issue must be looked at carefully. This page provides answers to many common questions about off-duty […]
Surveillance at Work
Surveillance at Work When it comes to surveillance at work, you may be surprised at what your employer can legally do. Employers can legally monitor almost anything an employee does at work as long as the reason for monitoring is important enough to the business. Employers may install video cameras, read postal mail and e-mail, […]
Workplace Searches
Workplace Searches Under the law, all employees have a “reasonable expectation of privacy” which prevents employers from searching employees wherever and whenever the employer wishes. What is considered reasonable depends on factors like the type of employment, whether there is evidence of misconduct, and the scope of the search. Employees have a greater expectation of […]
Marijuana and the Workplace
Marijuana and the Workplace Marijuana use and the workplace is an issue that has developed rapidly over the years and has varied greatly from state to state. While medical marijuana use may be legalized in one state, recreational use might not be legal in that same state. Likewise, medical marijuana use may be legalized in […]
Social Networking & Computer Privacy
Social Networking & Computer Privacy Generally, employers have the right to monitor their employees use of the Internet on computers owned by the employer, during employees’ on-duty hours. This allows employers to monitor your website activity, e-mail account, and instant messages. This right, howbeit, cannot be used as a means of discrimination. Federal laws prohibit […]
Infectious Diseases and the Workplace
Infectious Diseases and the Workplace Getting sick can sometimes cause far more problems with your employer than you might imagine. Can you be fired for getting sick, or be forced to stay home when a family member is sick? What do you do if you contract a serious contagious illness? What can employers do when […]
Medical Privacy
Medical Privacy As an employee, there are just some things that an employer does not need to know. For example, that one time you broke your arm bike riding in college, or that time you had your blood drawn to test for pregnancy. While this information may seem irrelevant and, at times, highly sensitive, your […]
COVID-19 Resources
COVID-19 Resources Workplace Fairness has compiled resources to keep you informed of your rights, the laws that protect you, and new developments regarding COVID-19. 1. Disabilities and COVID-19 Although many people who acquire COVID-19 recover within weeks, some continue to experience new or recurring symptoms months after being infected. This is known as “long COVID,” […]
Privacy & Workplace Surveillance
Privacy & Workplace Surveillance Privacy is a commodity that many Americans hold near and dear to their hearts. However, this treasured right to privacy can at times be unclear, especially in the workplace. Maybe you are wondering if an employer has the right to view your social media accounts? Perhaps you are concerned about your […]
Environmental Whistleblowers – Occupational Safety and Health Act
Environmental Whistleblowers — Occupational Safety and Health Act There are many federal environmental laws regulating the activity of public and private companies for the protection of the environment. These laws are far more effective when employees report the violations of their employers, so the laws have provisions to protect those employees from retaliation. If you […]
