Many Australian workers talk about their legal rights in the workplace while forgetting that they have obligations when it comes to the workplace as well. It is crucial that you know and understand what is going on within your workplace so that you get a fair day’s pay, that your health and safety is taken into consideration and that you won’t be subject to difficulties within the workplace that stop you coming to work in the first place. It is up to your employer to make sure that they provide you with a safe working environment, that you don’t have to put up with discrimination and that you receive all of your legal entitlements.
As a worker, however, when it comes to employment law in Sydney you also have to understand that there are conditions set out when you are employed and this relates to certain things like entitlements when it comes to your lunch break and when you want to take your vacation. It is your responsibility to work in such a way that you are not endangering yourself or the people who are working around you. This is why it is important to know your rights and obligations as an Australian employee and the following are some of the benefits of that.
- You have a clear understanding – You don’t want to start a new job with no idea of what the conditions of your employment are and what’s expected from you. By keeping yourself up-to-date with employment law, you will actually know how much that you’re getting paid by the day or by the hour, you will know how many hours you are expected to be there, and you will be aware of the breaks that you are entitled to.
- Health and safety in mind – Employment law is in place to protect you when you go to work every single day and nobody wants to be sitting on the edge of the bed first thing in the morning trying to think up an excuse not to go to work because they are terrified of doing so. It works both ways however and so you need to be a responsible employee who takes health and safety seriously as well.
- You get to avoid discrimination – Discrimination in the workplace happens more than you think and so it is important that you are aware of the relevant employment law when it comes to such things. The same applies if you are being bullied in the workplace and having knowledge of the relevant law allows you to know what exactly to do if you are experienced at such a thing. Knowledge is the key when it comes to making sure that your employer meets their responsibilities to you.
Anyone will tell you here in Australia that knowledge is power and so take the time to learn about the relevant employment law as it applies to your particular position. Make sure that you always know where to find information when you need it.
