Illegal work practices violate labor laws and regulations. These unethical behaviors can take various forms and may even endanger others.
By understanding the many types of workplace violations, employees can take swift action to address the matter in the appropriate channels.
Wage theft
Wage theft occurs when employers underpay their workers. This can happen in several ways, including not paying the minimum wage, withholding overtime pay or not compensating employees for all the hours they have worked. Wage theft is a violation of labor laws and can result in significant financial losses.
Discrimination
Discrimination in the workplace can manifest in various forms, such as age, gender, race or disability discrimination. Employers who discriminate against employees or job applicants based on these factors not only violate labor laws but also create an unfair and hostile work environment.
Unsafe working conditions
Maintaining a safe work environment is important, but some employers may cut corners to save costs. This includes failing to provide necessary safety equipment, ignoring safety regulations or not addressing hazards in the workplace. These practices put employees and others at risk.
Employee misclassification
Employee misclassification involves wrongly classifying workers as independent contractors to avoid providing benefits, such as minimum wage, overtime pay or worker’s compensation. Employers must categorize staff correctly to ensure they receive an accurate wage.
Retaliation
Retaliation against employees who exercise their legal rights is also illegal. Employers cannot fire, demote or otherwise mistreat employees for reporting workplace violations, participating in union activities or filing complaints. Retaliation undermines the protection of labor rights and the ability of workers to address workplace issues.
According to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, workers filed 73,485 claims in 2022 alone. When an employer fails to conduct its workplace responsibly and within the confines of the law, employees have the right to make the situation known.