Hello, blue-collar buddies! There are millions of us. We work the fast food scene, construction, maintenance, mechanics, home health, factory jobs, and drive semi-trucks among other things. We break our backs to help make sure America keeps running smoothly.
A lot of this crowd is made up of those of us who have endured the school of hard knocks. Single parents, high school dropouts, recovering addicts, and those who have put up with the scowl of the world because they don’t believe they have to be in a pristine job to be happy. Some of us are very happy in our line of work.
The office just doesn’t suit who we are. However, it is for some of those very reasons that some employers think they can get away with bending and flat out breaking the laws that govern employment. Below are three myths most companies would rather you not uncover.
Insurance Won’t Cover An Accident If It’s Your Fault.
An injury on the job is not something any of us aspire to, but they do happen. Especially in the land of the blue collar worker. When they do, all the red tape you have to cut through for insurance coverage can be a pain.
In the world of business, it is tempting to do things that will save your company money and that aren’t always honest. This includes delivering statements that may sound legitimate but just aren’t true. Many employers will lean on your lack of legal knowledge to get out of paying workers comp fees and insurance for any injury you may accrue while on the job.
For example, you may be told that insurance won’t cover an accident if it’s your fault. First, you wouldn’t take legal advice from a cake decorator. Make sure to seek the attention of a qualified lawyer. In almost every case, the fault has no effect on the claim.
You Can’t Request Off For Religious Holidays and Services.
Close to three-fourths of the world’s population practice some form of religion. There are laws already in place that prevent businesses from firing or declining a position to someone based on their religion.
With that said, when it comes to the fine details, there are some employers that will attempt to find ways to skirt around the edges of the law. You can, indeed, request time off for religious holidays and services. If your work schedule interferes with your religious holiday or service times, you can request a “reasonable accommodation.”
“Your employer is required to provide you with such an accommodation unless it would impose an “undue hardship” on the employer’s business, defined as an accommodation that is too costly or difficult to provide.” In addition, if your employer decides to make the accommodation, but then makes you suffer for it, you can sue for discrimination.
Being a Single Parent is a Death Sentence For Promotion.
There are more than 74 million children under the age of 18 in the United States, alone. Each of them privy to some form of care. Over 34% of them live in a single parent home. There is no doubt that it is difficult to raise children on your own, with a job, and all that comes with life, but single parents everywhere find a way to do it every day.
So, being passed over for a promotion because you are a single parent is not only illegal but just plain wrong. With that said, there are instances where it may appear there is discrimination involved when there isn’t. You need to make sure you have all the facts. For example, if an employee is single and without children and is receiving more hours than you because of the absence of parental responsibility and is granted the promotion over you, there really is no case here.
A business may simply claim the other employee had more time invested and thus more experience. On the other hand, if you are told that you are not being considered for promotion simply because your employer thinks you cannot handle the workload along with your parental duties, this is discrimination. Address it promptly.
Working for a living is something necessary for providing a stable home and life for your family. You shouldn’t be denied progress in the workplace because of another necessary part of your life. Use these tips to help you educate yourself on workplace discrimination and how to keep yourself from being an unknowing target.
Originally posted on February 16, 2018 @ 9:56 am