Protecting your rights in the workplace is essential for every employee, regardless of profession, industry, or work experience. Employment relationships should be based on fairness, legal regulation, and mutual respect to ensure the worker’s protection against possible injustices from the employer or within the workplace.
Employees often face various issues, such as unjustified dismissal, delayed or incomplete salary payments, violation of working conditions, physical or psychological pressure, discrimination, and more. All these problems can be prevented or overcome if the employee is informed about their rights and knows what actions to take to protect them.
To ensure the protection of your rights in the workplace, it is essential to familiarize yourself in detail with the legislative regulations that define your labor rights, the employer’s obligations, and the regulation of employment relationships. Due to a lack of public awareness, many employees are unaware of their rights, which often results in them being subjected to unfair treatment or illegal actions. Therefore, it is important not only to know your rights but also to be able to protect them based on the applicable laws and legal documents.
In this article, we will present the main steps that will help you protect your rights in the workplace. We will explore the key legislative norms regulating employee rights, the obligations of employers, how to prevent rights violations, and what measures can be taken if your labor rights have been violated. This way, you will be able to work in a more confident and protected environment, ensuring your interests and the stable development of your career.
1. Your Rights
The Labor Code of the Republic of Armenia provides several rights for employees. It is essential to familiarize yourself with these rights to benefit from them and protect yourself against possible violations. Here are some key rights:
- Right to Work: You have the right to work under legal conditions, receiving the salary stipulated by the contract.
- Working Hours Limitations: The legislation sets the maximum number of working hours per week, as well as the right to paid rest.
- Safe and Healthy Working Conditions: The employer is obliged to provide a safe working environment.
- Prohibition of Discrimination: The employer cannot apply discrimination based on gender, age, nationality, religious beliefs, or other characteristics.
- Salary Payment Procedures: Salaries must be paid on time and in full.
- Rest and Vacation Rights: Employees are entitled to paid leave.
2. Signing the Contract
When starting a job, always request a written employment contract that includes:
- Job responsibilities,
- Salary amount and payment procedures,
- Working hours,
- Vacation conditions,
- Termination procedures.
Working without a contract is risky, as the employer may violate your rights without any consequences.
3. Legality of Working Conditions
If you feel that your rights are being violated (for example, unpaid wages, excessive workload, or an unhealthy work environment), you should take action. Start by discussing the issue with your employer to clarify and resolve the problem. If this does not help, you can seek assistance from organizations providing legal support.
4. Employer’s Obligations
The employer is obliged to:
- Develop and follow workplace safety rules,
- Treat employees with respect,
- Comply with agreements regarding salaries and paid vacations,
- Avoid discrimination or pressure against employees.
If an agreement cannot be reached through negotiations with the employer, you can protect your violated rights through legal proceedings. If you encounter illegal actions or unfair treatment, do not hesitate to seek legal support from relevant organizations to ensure your fair and lawful working conditions.
