Employee, Immigration and Labor law

employment at will

doctrine where either party can terminate an employment relationship unless it violates a contract or statue

whistleblowing

employees tell government, upper management, or media that their employer is engaged with illegal activities

wrongful discharge

an employer terminates an employee in violation of the law or contract

workers compensation laws

process for compensating workers for injuries during employment

vesting

the creation of an absolute right or power

I - 9 verification

process of verifying the employment eligibility and identity of a new worker

I-551 permanent resident card

green card, foreigner can work in the US

closed shop

firm requires union membership as a condition of employment

union shop

firm requires all workers to become union members within a time frame

right to work laws

state laws saying employees may not have to join a union

hot cargo agreement

illegal agreement where employers agree with unions not to deal in the nonunion produced goods of other employers

authorization card

signed by an employee that gives a union permission to act on the employers behalf in negotiations with management

collective bargaining

labor and management negotiate the terms and conditions of employment

protected class

people protected by specific laws because of their race/origin/disability

disparate treatment discrimination

when an employer intentionally discriminates against employees who are in a protected class

disparate impact discrimination

results from employer practices that arent discriminatory on their face but have discriminatory effect

constructive discharge

terminate employment because working conditions are so bad the employee feels compelled to leave

tangible employment action

significant change in employment status/benefits

business necessity

defense to an allegation of employment discrimination

bona fide occupational qualification (BFOQ)

identifiable characteristic (gender/origin/religion) (not race)

affirmative action

gives extra consideration to members of protected classes

family and medical leave act

leave for birth/adoption/serious medical issue