 |
Some Practical Tips For EmployeesWhat follows is an overview of the many statutes and regulations, court decisions and agency rulings that govern the workplace. Our focus is on the protections these laws and rulings provide workers and the rights that workers derive from them. More often than not the workplace functions well, the laws are adhered to, and there are no problems. But sometimes problems do arise and what you know - in terms of your rights - may make all the difference in the world. But it is not enough to merely know your rights. Successfully protecting your rights may also depend on the records you maintain. Whether the issue is an injury on the job or unlawful discrimination by a fellow worker or a claim that the employer has violated the collective bargaining agreement, the information you record will be critical - especially if the attempts to resolve the matter occur many months, or even years, after the events at issue occurred. The authors of this book suggest, as a practical matter, that when you are faced with what you believe is a violation of your workplace rights, you begin to maintain a contemporaneous record. Doing so will help avoid the inevitable problems that occur when memories fade, co-workers leave employment, and paperwork is lost. Whether it is you, your union steward, or your attorney that addresses the problem - whether your forum is before a grievance coordinator, an arbitrator, a judge, or a hearing officer - the contemporaneous record you compile will be invaluable. Once again, it is important to record relevant information immediately. We recommend that you maintain your records in a safe and secure place. Not necessarily in the workplace . Use the following checklist to help develop a complete record for later use. Use the following checklist to help develop a complete record for later use.
• What happened? ü When did it happen? Did the problem recur on different occasions? • Who was involved? ü What was said? Who said it? What was done? • Who were the witnesses? ü Were witness statements taken? Do you have copies? • Do you have phone numbers ü Was this problem brought to the attention of a supervisor? To the attention and addresses of witnesses? of an agency? If so, when? What were the results? • Do you have any written records? ü Do you have notes from meetings with the employer or the employer's Employee handbooks? representative? Did an agency representative contact you? Memoranda? Letters? ü Do you have notes from any grievance hearings? Policies? Pay stubs? ü Do you have all necessary medical records? • Did you see a doctor or visit a medical clinic? ü Do you have any receipts for your out-of-pocket expenses? ü Are there videotapes or photos that are relevant and available?
|
