Labor and employment laws protect employers and employees alike.
Federal, state and local employment regulations protect the interests of both employers and employees, even though the common phrase "fair employment practices" appears to serve the interests of just one party. Strengthening the employer-employee relationship requires adherence to labor and employment laws applicable to the workplace.
At-Will Employment Doctrine
One of the most misunderstood tenets of employment is the at-will employment doctrine. At-will employment means the employer has the right to discharge an employee at any time, with or without notice or reason. The caveat is that the employer cannot terminate employment for discriminatory reasons. Often overlooked is that this doctrine also applies to employees, too. An employee has the right to terminate her employment with or without reason or notice.
National Labor Relations Act
The National Labor Relations Act, which is enforced by the National Labor Relations Board, protects the rights of employees who engage in collective activity. Collective activity applies to employees who, for a number of reasons, determine they want to bargain for changes to working conditions. Conversely, the NLRA also protects employers from experiencing significant losses by employees who engage in work stoppages, strikes and other actions that impede management rights. The website for the National Labor Relations Board clearly states: "Congress enacted the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) in 1935 to protect the rights of employees and employers, to encourage collective bargaining, and to curtail certain private sector labor and management practices, which can harm the general welfare of workers, businesses and the U.S. economy."
Workplace Safety
The U.S. Occupational Health and Safety Administration governs workplace safety issues, providing guidelines that shield workers and employers from unfortunate occurrences that can cause dangerous working conditions. Human resources department safety specialists are primarily responsible for ensuring federal OSHA regulations and state safety laws are consistently applied to every aspect of the workforce.
