Rights and Responsibilities Between Employers and Employees

Rights and Responsibilities between Employers and Employees

Most of the employer’s responsibilities to employees are driven by law federal, state and local laws protect employees. In some business we also have unions where contracts are adhered to that further those employer responsibilities. Ethics also play a major role in this area, as we know these ethics are driven by values and morals. Many employers and employees do not have the same ethics and morals, this is where we see disconnect in responsibilities.

Employer Responsibilities to Employees by Law

Fair Wages are decided by complex formulas, changing with each business and company. The federal government requires that companies’ follow laws pertaining to all positions and various circumstances determine if positions are salary or hourly or exempt there are several laws both federal and state the aid employers in correctly categorizing positions. Businesses also must adhere to minimum wage rates. These rates are determined by the state government.

Employers are also responsible for providing employees with a safe working environment. These laws are regulated by the US Department of Labor they require that employers “Provide a workplace free from serious recognized hazards and comply with standards, rules and regulations issued under the OSHA Act” (DOL 2006). The OSHA Act requires various processes and procedures are followed such as certifications, site visits, posting laws and safety trainings to name a few.

Employer Responsibilities and Ethics

Ethical employers would adhere to laws and provide employees with the previously mentioned circumstances. Any further benefits or offers would be based on a corporation’s ethics as well as the ethics of individual managers and decision makers of the organization. Employers that offer better working conditions, not only safe but happier more productive environments do so based on ethics. Employers that provide their employees with more control, participation, and other programs such as quality of work life programs experience positive results with employees (Weiss 2006). When employees feel they have been invested in they tend to stay with that company longer, the employee feels more inclined to give back and has a stronger sense of loyalty. Companies lacking in the employee rights area do not experience these situations as often (Pfeffer 2006). These companies will find that the organization is much more productive as a whole and that there is gain for both sides.

Employee Responsibilities to Employers

The responsibility of the employee is based on the contract the employee and employer have for employment. Employees are responsible for