I feel discriminated against at work. Is this illegal?
I am caring for an elderly parent and would like to take time off from work to do so. Am I entitled to this leave by law?
I was just offered a job with a local computer software company but before starting, my future employer asked that I sign a non-compete agreement. What does this mean and should I sign the contract?
I have worked for the same company for over 20 years. Last month, I was laid off due to downsizing. Am I entitled to a severance package by law?
Can companies monitor the internet usage of their employees?
Q: I feel discriminated against at work. Is this illegal?
Discrimination is illegal if you belong to a protected class as outlined by federal or state law. These legally protected categories include age, disability, gender, pregnancy, race, national origin, military status and religion. Several states also define sexual orientation as a protected category. Favoritism or nepotism in the workplace may be unfair but treatment of this sort is not necessarily illegal.
Back to the top.
Q: I am caring for an elderly parent and would like to take time off from work to do so. Am I entitled to this leave by law?
The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) enables eligible employees to take a leave of absence for up to 12 weeks per year for one or more of the following reasons:
- medical leave if an employee is unable to work due to a serious illness
- for the birth and care of a newborn child
- recent adoption of a child by the employee
- to care for an immediate family member including a spouse, child or parent
In addition to this federal statute, many states have separate family leave regulations which allow individuals time away from the office to care for their loved ones.
These laws can be very complex and there are many exceptions and restrictions on the right to take medical and family leave. For example, individuals working for businesses with less than 50 employees are not eligible for unpaid leave under the FMLA. However, they may be eligible under their state's laws. If you are considering taking leave from your job, you should consult an attorney who can determine your eligibility and explain your rights under federal and state employment laws.
Back to the top.
Q: I was just offered a job with a local computer software company but before starting, my future employer asked that I sign a non-compete agreement. What does this mean and should I sign the contract?
A non-compete agreement prohibits an employee from working for a competitor for a specified period of time after leaving the company. Employers often ask their employees to sign such contracts to ensure that they don’t lose trade secrets or other confidential information which may harm their competitive advantage. These agreements are usually made with a benefit being offered to the employee, such as a job offer, raise or promotion so it is typical that employees will be asked to enter into an agreement of this nature when accepting a job offer.
Before entering into a non-compete agreement, all individuals should ensure that the terms of the contract are reasonable. The length of the non-compete agreement should not last too long; although there is no set rule on these limits, most non-compete agreements last from six months to two years. Also, the agreement cannot span too wide of a geographic area as this may limit all possibility of employment should you leave the company. While most states, with the exception of California, acknowledge these agreements, the laws which govern them vary. Before signing any non-compete agreement, it is important to consult a lawyer who can evaluate the terms of the agreement.
Back to the top.
Q: I have worked for the same company for over 20 years. Last month, I was laid off due to downsizing. Am I entitled to a severance package by law?
Unless your employment contract or company policy specifies the presence of a severance package in the event of discharge, you are probably not entitled to a severance package. In many instances, employers offer a severance package in exchange for your agreement to a confidentiality or noncompetition contract, or to secure release of any employment-related claims you may make. Before signing any severance agreement, it is important that you contact an employment attorney to ensure your rights are protected.
Back to the top.
Q: Can companies monitor the internet usage of their employees?
The courts have ruled that employees have few privacy rights when using their employers’ computer systems. All websites visited by workers may be tracked and non-work related sites may be blocked. All employers should have an acceptable use policy which outlines internet use in the workplace and any sites which may not be visited. If an employee knowingly violates this policy, he or she may be disciplined accordingly.
Back to the top.