Whether you’re running a business from home, from an office or you’re an employee – your job is (hopefully) something you enjoy doing. When talking about the law, many people’s faces glaze over – it’s not the most fun subject. However, it’s one of the most vital things that you have to be aware of whether you work for yourself or others.
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Employees
This is more concerning if you’re the one doing the hiring. There are two main things that people can, and do, lie about on their resumes; the first is eligibility to work in the country. Reference check every prospective employee, request a copy of their ID and ask to see the original, the same goes for a visa – get familiar with the different types of visas. This may seem invasive, but it’s your neck on the line if you don’t.
The second thing to be aware of is qualifications – so many people lie about any grades they achieved, or whether they have the experience at all. As the owner or manager, you have to be aware that this can happen. The simplest way to check these is to quiz them in the interview. If it’s a high school or college that you think they may be lying about, call the school and ask for a reference – they have records of past alumni, and you’ll be able to find out pretty quickly if they achieved what they say they did.
Office Legality
Legal practices within the office come in different shapes and sizes, from health and safety to individual practices. It is your responsibility as an employer to ensure the safety of your staff and to make sure those practices are being followed by everyone. As an employee, you have the right to speak up if you think that any legal practices that supposed to be followed, aren’t.
This also applies to any fraud that goes on within the company. Computer fraud is a federal offense and has to be taken seriously by everyone. As an employer, by utilizing computer security and having regular database checks seen out, you can prevent fraud.
Contracts
As an employer, you have had these contracts created and signed by yourself and your employee. And you have to ensure that they are being carried out to the letter. If you have specifies that an employee is entitled to four weeks of holiday, for example, then you have to give it to them. If you have stated a deadline to a client – you are legally bound to meet it.
All employees should be aware of their entitlements; by reading the contract fully, and keeping a copy for reference, you know what you are allowed, and what you have to achieve. If the contract says that you have to meet a certain amount in profit to gain a bonus, then you can’t complain if you don’t meet the target and miss out.