Wage Discrepancies
Fair wages for fair work are an important part of Reston employment law. As a result, all employees who work for an hourly rate should be paid no less than the standard minimum wage. Virginia Code §40.1-28.10 mandates local business owners to adhere to the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour. While this statute does not apply to some salaried workers, tipped employees, or those who work on commission, an employer who fails to provide a fair hourly wage may violate both federal and state law. Another common wage dispute involves overtime. There is no state law concerning the payment of overtime, but federal standards still apply. Regardless of your hourly rate, the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) requires business owners to provide compensation at a rate of one and a half times your normal wage for all hours worked in excess of 40 during a given week. The professional guidance of a well-versed Reston employment attorney could be substantially beneficial when determining whether your boss’s actions violate any of your workplace rights.Protections Against Discrimination
Employment law also provides protection against workplace harassment and discrimination. Both VA Code §2.2-3901 and federal anti-discrimination laws make it illegal for an employer to take adverse action against a worker or employment candidate on the basis of a protected factor. For example, a business owner could be held liable for discriminating against an employee or potential employee over the following:- Race
- National origin
- Pregnancy status
- Religion
- Disability
- Gender
- Sexual Orientation