In the United States of America, everyone must be treated fairly in the workplace. You have certain rights to protect you at work. Employers must follow the laws, or else they may face fines or penalties. Learn about workers' rights in the United States.
Federal Minimum Wage
The federal government issues laws for the entire country, and state governments have laws within their states. Both the federal and state governments have a minimum wage. The federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour. This means that any employer anywhere in the United States must pay you at least $7.25 per hour. You can find out more about workers' rights and payment in several languages.
State Minimum Wage
Sometimes the state minimum wage is higher than the federal minimum wage. For example, in California and Arizona, the minimum wage is $11.00 per hour. In these states, employers must pay the higher amount. You can find the minimum wage in your state.
Minimum Wage and Tips
Tips are money from customers to thank you for your service. Tips are not included in the meal or tax amount. If you work in a restaurant or a job where you receive more than $30 in tips per month, they can hire you as a "tipped employee". Employers must pay employees at least $2.13 per hour plus tips. Tips must be more than $5.12 per hour, so the federal minimum wage is still $7.25 ($2.13 + $5.12 = $7.25).
Equal Pay
In some countries, men and women earn different wages. However, U.S. laws do not allow this. If you are doing the same work as your coworker, you must be paid the same amount. You should also receive the same overtime pay, hours off, and bonuses. Employees should only receive more if they have different jobs. They can also be paid more if they have better skills or more experience in the field they are working in.Discrimination
Discrimination laws encourage employers to hire people from different backgrounds and treat everyone the same. It is illegal for an employer not to hire you because of:
- Sex
- Race
- Religion
- Disability: suffering from physical problems or illness
- Age: 40 years old or older
- National origin: where I came from
You can read more about discrimination laws in the workplace. Employees with disabilities have additional rights under the law.
Work Injuries
Injuries can occur to you while working. If you are injured at work, it is very important to tell your manager immediately. You also need to find a doctor to treat the injury. Workers' compensation laws can protect your rights to treatment. Some of your treatment and wages can be paid by your company.
Privacy Rights
Your company is not allowed to look at your personal belongings. Your wallet, bags, storage lockers, and bags are just for you. If you receive mail with your name on it, your manager is not allowed to read it.
If you are using a work computer, your boss can look at your emails. If you are using a phone, some companies are allowed to listen to your calls and phone messages. This is different for each company. You should not say or write negative things about your company.
Unfair Dismissal
Unfair dismissal means you were fired for an illegal reason. If you think you lost your job because of discrimination, work injury, or harassment, you should consider speaking to a lawyer. There are lawyers who help people with workers' rights. Find low-cost or free legal help for immigrants and refugees.
If you think illegal things are happening at your workplace, tell your employer. If your employer cannot help, write down what is happening. You may need this information later.
Workplace Safety
Your employer must make sure your workplace is safe and without risks. Risks are things that can harm you, like chemicals, tools, or unsafe equipment. Sometimes, your job may require you to do something unsafe. For example, a construction worker may need to climb tall buildings. By law, employers must tell you about possible risks in the workplace. They must also train you in a language you understand. If you feel or see something unsafe that your manager does not know about, tell them. Find information about safety rights at work.
The information on this page is from the U.S. government and other trusted sources. It is intended for guidance and is updated as much as possible. USAHello does not provide legal advice, nor is any of our materials intended as legal advice. If you are looking for free or low-cost legal help or legal help, we can help you find free or low-cost legal services."