Workplace retaliation is a serious concern across the United States. Labor laws protect workers from retaliation for engaging in legally protected activities such as reporting discrimination, harassment, safety violations or other unlawful behaviors. Your employer may attempt to retaliate using subtle means so as not to leave evidence, a phenomenon sometimes referred to as “quiet firing.” Signs that you are being quiet fired may include the following. 1. Increasingly mundane work One of the signs that your employer might be quietly firing you is if they start assigning increasingly mundane or ..read more

Employees in Kentucky take legal action against their employers for a variety of different issues. Sometimes, a worker experiences harassment or discrimination on the job, and they want to hold their employer legally accountable. Other times, companies may violate certain employment laws, like rules entitling workers to fair compensation based on the time that they worked. Workers frustrated by company policies sometimes decide to take legal action. One of the scenarios that might warrant employee litigation is a claim that an employer misclassified or mischaracterized an employee. When an emp ..read more

If you have a medical condition and need your employer to make a change to your job or work environment to help you perform your duties, you should inform them. But how can you make such a request? Is there a wrong way to go about it? Here is how you can request a reasonable accommodation at work: You can request in writing or face-to-face conversation You can request a reasonable accommodation in writing, face-to-face conversation or any other form of communication. However, it may be wise to send your request in written form for documentation purposes. Your employer will likely respond in wr ..read more

Kentucky’s workers’ compensation laws are designed to provide protection and support to employees who suffer work-related injuries or illnesses. Understanding these laws is crucial for employees. As an employee, knowing the following about workers’ compensation laws will help you protect your rights. Eligibility for workers’ compensation To be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits, an individual must be an employee who has sustained an injury or illness directly related to their job. This includes injuries occurring on the work premises or elsewhere while performing job-related duties. I ..read more

In Kentucky, the distinction between an independent contractor and an employee hinges on several key factors that affect legal rights, responsibilities and protections. This distinction is crucial for businesses and workers because it results in various legal and financial implications, including tax liabilities, workers’ compensation eligibility and employment benefits. Determining a worker’s status isn’t solely at the discretion of a business or the individual. Kentucky law and guidelines from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) provide frameworks for t ..read more

For the most part, the law is relatively clear about the rights of employees to receive wages for their work. Federal law establishes minimum wage obligations and certain payroll requirements for hourly workers. One of those most important protections is the right to overtime compensation when workers have to put in more than 40 hours of labor in a specific week. Overtime wages should generally be at least 150% of someone’s standard hourly wage. Some workers paid on a salary basis are exempt from overtime wage requirements. However, most hourly employees should receive overtime if they put in ..read more

When many people think about workplace retaliation, they imagine getting fired. Perhaps a worker reports unsafe conditions or sexual harassment that has been taking place on the job. The next day, they find out that they’re being terminated, and they know that it is retaliation for that report. This can and does happen. But it’s still important to note that retaliation does not always include being fired or losing your job. There are many other ways that employers may retaliate, which could still be illegal. Changing the schedule One example is when the employer changes the work schedule. Perh ..read more

If you experience sexual harassment at work, there are two primary legal grounds upon which you can file a claim. The first is “quid pro quo,” if someone insisted that you give sexual favors by offering something in exchange, this situation applies to you. For example, they said they’d give you a pay raise or help you keep your job if you acceded to the sexual action they wanted. The other, which is more common – probably because it is usually less blatant – is that you can claim you’ve experienced a hostile work environment. It’s a negative work environment based on protected characteristics ..read more

American employees know much more about employment laws and worker rights than ever in U.S. history. Even so, many workers believe mandatory overtime is illegal and won’t face repercussions if they refuse. State laws address extra hours and compensation but do not prohibit employers from making it mandatory or terminating those who refuse. Still, in certain situations the average employer cannot force overtime on workers or fire them for declining. When compensation is inadequate You may refuse to work overtime without consequences if your boss pays or intends to pay less than the minimum wage ..read more

Understanding wage and hour laws in Kentucky is crucial for employers and employees to ensure fair labor practices. These laws cover essential aspects like minimum wage, tipped wages and overtime, providing a framework for all compensation in the workplace. Kentucky’s minimum wage law aligns with the federal standard. Employers must pay at least the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour as of December 2023. This ensures a base income level for all hourly workers. Tipped workers have a different minimum wage Tipped wages are another critical component of Kentucky’s wage laws. Employees who rec ..read more