What are my rights?
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All employees have rights that the government gives you by putting them into law. The laws also state what rights an employer has.
Pay
You receive an amount defined by legal agreement. This may be an award, a certified agreement or a contract. Your employer pays the money into your bank account. In some cases with very small business, you can receive your pay in cash. This does not happen often. Your employer must give you detailed advice in writing about your pay and allowances.
Working conditions
The legal agreement that defines your job includes the agreed working conditions that apply to you. The conditions can cover many aspects of work. They may be more important than the amount of pay you receive. You can seek help to have the conditions explained. You can get help from your union office or you can contact the Fair Work Ombudsman.
The table below lists contact details for the Fair Work Ombudsman:
| Fair Work Ombudsman Contact Details | |
|---|---|
| Fair Work Infoline | 13 13 94 |
| Home Page | See: Fair Work Online |
Hours worked
Legal agreement defines the hours worked.
Leave
Legal agreement defines the leave entitlement.
Union membership
You are free to decide whether you join a union.
Occupational health, safety and welfare
You can claim compensation for lost earnings and medical expenses if you are injured at work or travelling for and during work. In some states, coverage extends for injury that occurs travelling to and from work.
Law
State and federal laws apply to aspects of the workplace such as equal employment opportunity (EEO), dismissal and termination, workplace harassment, and occupational health and safety (OH&S). Employers must obey the law in these matters. You can seek help to resolve a problem of unfairness.
The following web sites give you more information on these topics.
See:
Fair Work Online
Australian Council of Trade Unions
Australian Human Rights Commission – Work Out Your Rights
Safe Work Australia