Do your homework.

Before having a conversation with your employer about any of these rights, it’s a good idea to do your homework and review your employer’s policies, which may go beyond your rights under the law. You may also want to consult with human resources.

Take notes.

If you have an uncomfortable conversation with a co-worker or boss, take careful notes after your conversation, especially about anything that sounded strange or wrong to you. Keep a copy of your personal notes (e.g. email them to your personal email so that they are time stamped).

Speak to your union.

If you belong to a union, speak with your union representative if you think your rights have been violated. Your union representative should be able to guide you through the union grievance process. It is important to remember that even if you go through the grievance process with your union, the deadlines for filing a complaint with an agency or in court will still apply to you.

Consider attempting to resolve the issue directly with your employer.

Before filing a complaint with an administrative agency or in court, you may be able to resolve your issue internally. If your supervisor is unhelpful or is the one violating your rights, consider raising the issue with human resources or another person at the company if there is no human resources department. It is important to remember that even if you go through an internal complaint process with your employer, the deadlines for filing a complaint with an agency or in court will still apply to you.

Disclaimer

The information listed in this section does not constitute legal advice. It is always advisable to consult with an attorney about your individual circumstances if you have questions or think your rights as a worker have been violated.