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FAQs:
Your
union contract as well as federal and state laws guarantee
that your rights are respected while you’re at work.
My boss
keeps hitting on me. Isn’t this illegal? What can I do?
I’m in high
school, and I never seem to have time to do my homework
because my employer is always asking me to stay late. Can
they do that?
I punched out
for the night yesterday, but before I made it to my car, my
boss said that they really needed help restocking, and asked
me to pitch in off the clock. Is that legal?
Recently, my boss
has been asking me to work with some machines that I don’t
feel safe around. What are my options?
Our new manager has
started making all the people of color work in the back
room. He also has been saying some really racist stuff. What
can we do to make him stop?
I’m going to have
a baby, and my boss has started asking me when I’ll be
leaving work. My doctor says that I can keep working for
months. Do I have to leave work now? Will my job be there
when I get back?
My child is really
sick, and I want to take some time off work, can I do that?
My boss keeps hitting on me. Isn’t
this illegal? What can I do?
You’re right, it is illegal, and
you can make it stop.
Sexual harassment is when a boss or supervisor conditions
some aspect of your job on your submission to his (or her)
sexual advances. Also, unwanted verbal or physical conduct
of a sexual nature can constitute sexual harassment if it
creates a hostile work environment. Both males and females
can experience sexual harassment, and both are protected by
law.
This illegal activity could include unwanted pressure for
dates, sexual favors or actual or attempted sexual assault.
Also behavior such as unwanted touching, hugging, sexual
jokes, slurs, profanity, gestures, asking personal
questions, and spreading rumors about your social or sex
life could constitute illegal harassment if sufficiently
severe or pervasive.
You don’t have to put up with this, especially if it’s
from a manager. Talk to your union rep or the person your
company has appointed to investigate complaints. The Equal
Employment Opportunity Commission’s goal is to eliminate
illegal discrimination from the workplace for all workers.
The EEOC’s website
for youth in the workforce, contains helpful info on
sexual harassment and discrimination as well as instructions
on how to file a complaint.
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I’m in high school, and I never seem
to have time to do my homework because my employer is always
asking me to stay late. Can they do that?
If you’re under 16, federal laws protect you from working
long hours - particularly when school is in session. If
you’re 14 or 15, even more restrictions apply. Rules on
hours can vary from state to state. Check
out this website to find your states’ restrictions.
If you’re in high school, you probably needed to get a
work permit. (Your school’s administration should be able to
help you get one.) This work permit not only lets have a
job, but also tells you what times you’ll be allowed to
work. Let your union or school know if your employer is
breaking the law.
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I punched out for the night
yesterday, but before I made it to my car, my boss said that
they really needed help restocking, and asked me to pitch in
off the clock. Is that legal?
NO! Both Federal laws and
your union contract protect you from having to complete in
job-related duties off the clock. You must be paid for all
the time you work. You should report the incident to your
union rep or shop steward immediately.
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Recently, my boss has been asking me to work with some
machines that I don’t feel safe around. What are my options?
Regardless of age, every worker has the right to a safe
and healthy workplace. People under the age of 18 are
prohibited from operating most machinery, for example, paper
balers and compacters and your employer must tell you if any
chemicals used could be harmful to your health.
Talk to your shop steward or union rep if you don’t feel
safe at work.
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Our new manager has started making all the people of color
work in the back room. He also has been saying some really
racist stuff. What can we do to make him stop?
You’re right – this kind of behavior is wrong, and
illegal. Workers are protected from job discrimination by
law, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. This law also
prohibits workplace harassment such as repeated, severe and
pervasive ethnic slurs.
Step one is talking to your union rep or shop steward.
You may need to file a complaint with the Equal Opportunity
Employment Commission (the EEOC). To find out more about
filing a complaint visit the EEOC's website
for young workers.
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I’m going to have a baby, and my
boss has started asking me when I’ll be leaving work. My
doctor says that I can keep working for months. Do I have to
leave work now? Will my job be there when I get back?
First of all, Congratulations on the new addition to your
family! The law protects your rights at work while pregnant.
You can remain on the job as long as you’re able to perform
the work. The employer must hold open a job for a
pregnancy-related absence as long as jobs are normally held
open for workers on sick or disability leave. The Pregnancy
Discrimination Act bans the employer from terminating,
demoting or disciplining a worker because of her pregnancy.
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My
child is really sick, and I want to take some time off work,
can I do that?
In most cases, yes, your job is protected! The federal
Family and Medical Leave Act provides workers up to 12 weeks
of unpaid and job-protected leave for certain family and
medical reasons in most places of work. Your union contract
might provide additional time or compensation. Check with
your union rep or shop steward.
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