So you landed your first job, and you are pretty excited to kick it off on the first day? This feeling is amazing, especially when one lands their dream job. We all have been there and have had our little celebration. However, not many of us are aware of the basic employment rights that we have from the moment we land a job.
Understandably, laws and rights exist for all departments of life, including employment. While it is always a good idea to consult with a professional Toronto employment lawyer before signing a contract, there are certain legal entitlements that all potential job candidates and employees should know.
By knowing your rights, you also ensure that you receive just and fair treatment at your workplace. Nonetheless, it is important to mention here that employees’ legal rights may differ depending on their designation and the nature of their job.
Here are six employee rights that everyone should know about:
A Comprehensive Payslip
You have the right to receive a comprehensive payslip on the first day you get paid. However, you may also receive it one day before payday. Ideally, the payslip should contain a detailed description of the payable amount, including the amount before and after-tax deductions. The inclusion of your tax code should be included as well.
No Discrimination Allowed
When it comes to discrimination at one’s workplace, it usually includes so much more than racial discrimination. We are talking about age, gender, sexual orientation, marriage status, physical disability, pregnancy, religion, political stance, civil partnership, etc.
It is important to mention here that discrimination can also be indirect. If you feel like you have been discriminated against at your workplace, you can assess the situation with the help of a lawyer and see who is responsible and what sort of discrimination took place.
Employee Health
In the face of the pandemic, the health of employees has become the number one priority nearly everywhere. According to laws and employment rights, all employers are responsible for providing their potential employees with a safe environment where the health of the employees doesn’t get compromised.
The rights of employee health also incorporate the inclusion of toilet facilities, rest area, safe water for drinking, and a clean workplace, spacious office rooms for proper ventilation, and general equipment/machinery maintenance.
Paid Sick Leaves
Everyone can get sick, and you as an employee have the right to statutory sick pay. However, depending on the region and state where you live, there are certain standards that you must fulfill for being eligible for sick pay.
For instance, you must have been working for your employer for a while now, and you must have been ill for some days in a row, which includes the weekends or non-working days. For instance, if you have caught the virus, you have no other choice but to self-isolate and hence be eligible for SSP (statutory sick pay).
Maternity/ Paternity Rights
Employees have the right to take maternity or paternity leave, and however, it is crucial to provide due notice in time. Also, the employee applying for paternity or maternity leaves must have been employed by the employer for a certain period, which is approximately 26 weeks.
Flex Time Rights
If you have been working for the same employer for more than four months now, you have the right to request flextime or a flexible working time. For the approval of your application, you must provide your employer with certain details, such as when you want to start (date and time) and the details on how you will be able to meet your deadlines within the time frame.