All employees deserve to work in an environment that is fair, respectful, and safe.
Yet, all across America, millions of workers face violations of their basic employment rights, often without even realizing it. These constant violations can quickly erode your financial stability, physical health and well-being, and your sense of dignity in the workplace.
Understanding your rights as an employee is more about empowerment and less about confrontation – although that is sometimes necessary.
Below are some of the most common employee rights violations and tips on how to handle them.
Denial of Rest Breaks
The denial of rest breaks is one of the most overlooked violations of employee rights.
While being made to quickly eat at your desk while you continue to work may seem minor compared to other issues like sexual harassment, constant deprivation of breaks can affect your health.
Under federal and state labor laws, employees are entitled to rest periods, and employers who fail to provide them are likely breaking the law.
If you are being denied rest breaks, document every instance.
Note the date, hours worked, and instructions you received to skip your break. Address the issue with your HR department in writing, and if the problem persists, file a complaint with your state labor agency.
Unsafe Working Conditions
Unsafe working conditions are a severe violation of employee rights and directly threaten the health, safety, and even lives of workers.
Every employee has the legal right to a safe workplace under the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA). Employers are legally required to follow OSHA safety standards and provide employees with information on safety hazards, warning signs, and training.
If you encounter unsafe conditions, report them immediately. First, notify your supervisor or safety officer in writing. If the issue isn’t resolved, file a confidential report directly with OSHA.
Unpaid Overtime
Under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), most employees are entitled to overtime pay for all hours worked over 40 in a single work week.
Millions of workers, however, are denied this compensation every year – typically through employer misclassification, off-the-clock work expectations, or deliberate underpayment.
Even small amounts of unpaid time can add up to significant wage theft over months or years.
If you suspect you are being denied overtime pay, begin documenting immediately. Keep personal records of your hours worked, including emails and time logs that demonstrate after-hours work duties.
Raise the issue with your payroll manager first, and if the issue isn’t resolved, contact an employment lawyer, such as HKM in Bozeman, for assistance and to file a confidential complaint with the state.
Hostile Work Environments
Hostile work environments are among the most common (and most damaging) violations of employee rights.
It can come from anyone, including supervisors and co-workers. If your work environment is toxic, intimidating, or abusive, and it interferes with your ability to perform your job, document every incident.
It isn’t limited to overt sexual advances or physical threats. It can, and often does, include inappropriate jokes, microagressions, and constant belittling.
Record dates, times, comments, names of witnesses, and any communication that supports your claim. Follow your company’s formal reporting procedure through Human Resources.
In Summary
When employees know the law and employers uphold it, everyone benefits.
Fair workplaces lead to greater trust, transparency, and employee morale – proving that protecting employee rights isn’t just legal; it’s good business.
