The Basics of Missouri Workplace Laws

The basis of Missouri Workplace Laws is that all employees have basic rights in the workplace. These rights include, but are not limited to: the right to fair compensation and freedom from discrimination.

This means that an employee cannot be discriminated against based on: age, gender, race, disability, national origin, or religion. As well, some other important employee rights’ include:

  • Right to be free from discrimination and harassment
  • Right to a safe place to work that is free of safety hazards and toxic substances
  • Right to “whistleblower rights”
  • Right to be compensated fairly for work performed.

Employed & Enforceable

These rights are granted to employees through a number of federal regulations and workplace laws. Some of these regulations are: ADA, ADEA, and Title VII…just to name a few.

Missouri Workplace Laws

In Missouri, there are workplace laws to protect all employees throughout the employment process. From hire to fire there are Missouri workplace laws to protect Missouri employees.

Here are a few of the basics with regards to Missouri workplace law:

Hiring

No employer is allowed to consider factors such as race, age, religion, gender, disability, or pregnancy when deciding on whom to hire. As well, ads and interviews must be void of anything that could be discriminatory based on these protected classes.

Wages

Missouri employers must abide by the state and federal minimum wage standard. Employers must also abide by the state overtime standards and laws as well.

Work Environment

In Missouri, employees are allowed to refuse to work in unsafe work conditions. The employer is not allowed to fire this employee in such an instance. Employers are required to provide safe working conditions for all employees. Issues like no safety equipment, faulty equipment, and contamination all constitute unsafe working conditions.

Workers’ Compensation

If you are injured while working for a Missouri employer than you are entitled to workers’ compensation. This means that the employer must have insurance that picks up medical bills for any employee injured on the job whilst providing partial income replacement until the employee is able to work again. If an employee accepts this compensation then he or she generally gives up the right to sue under Tort Law.

Harassment

Harassment is unlawful according to federal law. This means unwanted verbal or physical conduct based on race, religion, sex, age, color, or disability is not acceptable. Harassment is actionable when it begins to create a hostile work environment.

Missouri Workplace Laws

This is just the tip of the iceberg with regards to Missouri workplace laws. No matter your state – employment law is complicated. If you have questions about any issue you come across in the workplace, you should talk with a Missouri employment lawyer as soon as possible.