22 Dec

What are My Employee Rights as a Warehouse Worker?

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Good to Know

Employee rights gained momentum during the 20th century, specifically for warehouse workers and all employees, which gave rise to several labor protection laws in the states. As of now, the U.S. Department of Labor employs around 180 protection laws for warehouse workers. Employee rights protect your safety and provide a way to receive recompense for injuries.

If you have been injured on the job, reach out to a personal injury lawyer today to find out what your legal solutions are. Keep reading to find out more about warehouse worker rights in the workplace.

Safety in the Workplace

The OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Act) was established in 1970 to minimize the dangers in American workplaces. This legislation was responsible for creating specific safety provisions. These included industry-specific rules for agriculture, construction, and maritime jobs.

The act also comprises a “General Duty Clause.” This clause prohibits workplaces from practicing any undertaking that is deemed to be unsafe to warehouse workers.

OSHA is the primary authority responsible for modifying this law. However, state agencies may also bring specific provisions for workers’ benefit.

Health Coverage

The Affordable Care Act pledges to include mandatory health coverage for employees working in small and medium enterprises. This act, which was introduced in 2010, contains an Employer Shared Responsibility Payment provision. The provision demands companies with more than 50 full-time workers to provide minimal health insurance or pay a significant penalty.

To qualify as a full-time employee, you will have to work at least 30 hours per week, on average.

Family Leave

The Family and Medical Leave Act allows up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave to eligible employees every year. This is especially helpful if you decide to stay at home due to childbirth, adoption, or in cases of serious illness.

To receive this benefit, you must have worked for at least 12 months for 1,250 hours. This law applies to businesses that include at least 50 employees confined within a distance of a 75-mile radius.

Rights for a Discrimination-Free Workplace

When it comes to employment, the Civil Rights Act was a turning point for social justice in the States. As per the Title VII of this act, it is illegal for warehouse employers and employees to discriminate against workers regarding color, religion, race, sex, or country of origin.

Later on, in 2009, the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act reinforced workplace rights by eliminating wage discrimination against minorities and women.

A few other acts that protect a workplace against discrimination are:

Age Discrimination in Employment Act (1967)
Americans with Disabilities Act (1990)

Today, warehouse workers enjoy a host of rights that were just a dream a few years ago. These rights were put in place to shield you from workplace dangers while safeguarding your income. Warehouse workers face many dangerous working situations so it’s important to know your employee rights.

At Carrillo Injury Law firm, we believe in fighting for the employee and your rights to a safe working environment. If you’ve been injured while on the job, reach out to us to find out your rights, whether workers’ compensation or a personal injury claim. Email us at office@carrilloinjurylaw.com.