LECTURE # 18-19 HANDBOOK WORKING CONDITION AND EMPLOYEE RIGHTS

For those who do not have a job, getting one is often a priority. But whether an employer will hire you and how much it will pay are not the only dimensions of the relationship between employers and employees. The conditions under which one works will likely mean the difference between a job that is fulfilling and one that is dreadful. The specific nature of ones duties The possibilities for promotion The degree of freedom and privacy one has in the workplace The safety of the job site The degree to which the employer conducts itself ethically and legally

All of these factors can have a profound impact on the satisfaction one derives moral issues. OSHA: The United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is an agency of the United States Department of Labor. Its mission is to prevent work-related injuries, illnesses, and occupational fatality by issuing and enforcing rules called standards for workplace safety and health. OSHAs functions are stated below:

Review copies of appropriate standards, rules, regulations, and requirements that the employer is required to have available at the workplace; Request information from the employer on safety and health hazards in the workplace, appropriate precautions to take, and procedures to follow if the employee is involved in an accident or is exposed to toxic substances;

Gain access to relevant employee exposure and medical records; Request an OSHA inspection if they believe hazardous conditions or violations of standards exist in the workplace; Observe any monitoring or measuring of hazardous materials and see the resulting records.

Review or have an authorized representative review the employer's Log of WorkRelated Occupational Injuries and Illnesses at a reasonable time and in a reasonable manner.

File a complaint if punished or discriminated against for acting as a "whistleblower" for refusing to work when faced with imminent danger of death or serious injury and there is insufficient time to inspect.

Code of basic Working Conditions and Human Rights:

This Code of Basic Working Conditions and Human Rights represents the commitment of a good place to work.People are the vital asset. The individual and collective contributions of people at all levels are essential to the success of the Company. Protection and advancement of human rights in its worldwide operations are now a huge concerning issue. Non discrimination and Harassment The best policy to attract and retain the qualified people available without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, or veteran status. It also includes recruiting, hiring, transfers, promotions, terminations, compensation and benefits. Freedom of Association Recognize and respect employee rights to join or not join any lawful organization of their own choosing. Organizations must commit to complying with laws pertaining to freedom of association, privacy and collective bargaining. Environment, Health and Safety Providing employees with a safe and healthful workplace, protecting the environment wherever conduct business and striving for excellence in safety, health and environment stewardship. Hours of work and Work Scheduling Organization should establish work shifts and schedules as appropriate to meet business needs. 2

Forced labor and Child labor: Employment relationship should be voluntary, and the terms of employment must comply with applicable laws and regulations. Organizations should oppose to forced labor and child labor and are committed to complying with applicable laws prohibiting such exploitation.

Employee Rights:
1. Get training from your employer as required by the organization standards. Get training from your employer on chemicals you are exposed to during your work and information on how to protect yourself from harm. Employers must establish a comprehensive, written hazard communication program. Request copies of appropriate standards, rules, regulations and requirements that your employer should have available at the workplace. 2. Request information from your employer about worker injuries and illnesses, job hazards and workers' rights. Request information from your employer on safety and health hazards in your workplace, chemicals used in your workplace, tests your employer has done to measure chemical, noise and radiation levels, precautions you should take and procedures to be followed if you or other employees are involved in an incident or are exposed to hazardous chemicals or other toxic substances. 3. Request action from your employer to correct hazards or violations. You may ask your employer to correct hazards even if they are not violations of specific standards. Be sure to keep copies of any requests you make to your employer to correct hazards. 4. File a complaint if you believe that there are violations or serious workplace hazards. File a complaint and request an inspection if you believe serious workplace hazards or violations of standards exist in your workplace. You can file a complaint online, in writing, by telephone or fax. 3

5. Be involved in the inspection of your workplace. The authorized employee representative has a right to accompany compliance officer during an inspection. Where there is no union or employee representative, the inspector must talk confidentially with a reasonable number of workers during the course of the investigation. 6. Find out results of the inspection. The inspector also will gather detailed information about the employer's efforts to control health hazards, including results of tests your employer may have conducted. 7. Get involved in any meetings or hearings to discuss any objections 8. File a formal appeal of deadlines for correction of hazards. File an appeal of the deadlines that sets for your employer to correct any violation in the citation issued to the employer. 9. File a discrimination complaint. File a discrimination complaint if you are punished or discriminated against for exercising your safety and health rights or for refusing to work 10. Request a research investigation on possible workplace health hazards. Contact the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) to request a health hazard evaluation if you are concerned about toxic effects of a substance in the workplace.

Good housekeeping involves certain basic elements:

Unnecessary items should be arranged; those that will not be used should be thrown away and other rarely used items collected and stored in a suitable manner. Tools and equipment should be arranged in a way that allows easy access and return to their designated place. Gangways (walkway) and passages should be kept clear. Working clothes should also be kept clean in order to reduce the skin absorption hazard of certain toxic substances. 4

Workers exposed to toxic substances should have twin compartment clothing lockers to keep their working clothes separate from their other clothes. Similarly, it is advisable to provide a centralized laundry service for working clothes in plants using highly toxic substances. Workers employed on dirty jobs or exposed to dangerous or toxic substances should have wash-rooms.

Work-related welfare facilities

Work-related welfare facilities offered at or through the workplace can be an important factor in attracting, retaining and motivating workers, and in preventing or reducing fatigue. Some facilities are very basic, but often ignored, such as drinking water and toilets. Drinking-water:

Safe, cool drinking-water is essential for all types of work, especially in a hot environment. Without it fatigue increases rapidly and productivity falls.

Sanitary facilities:

Hygienic sanitary facilities should exist in all workplaces. They are particularly important where chemicals or other dangerous substances are used. Sufficient toilet facilities, with separate facilities for men and women workers, should be installed and conveniently located. Changing-rooms should be provided. Washing facilities, such as wash basins with soap and towels, or showers, should be placed either within changing-rooms or close by.

First-aid and medical facilities.

Facilities for providing first-aid and medical care at the workplace in case of accidents or unforeseen sickness are directly related to the health and safety of the workers. First-aid boxes should be clearly marked and conveniently located. They should contain only first-aid necessary of a prescribed standard and should be in the charge of a qualified person. It is also desirable to have a stretcher and suitable means to transport injured persons to a centre where medical care can be provided. 5

Rest facilities. Rest facilities can include seats, rest-rooms, waiting-rooms and shelters. They help workers to recover from fatigue and to get away from a noisy, polluted or isolated workstation. Feeding facilities.

Some kind of facilities for workers to have light refreshments is needed. A full meal at the workplace is necessary. A snack bar, buffet or mobile trolleys can provide tea, coffee and soft drinks, as well as light refreshments. Canteens or a restaurant can allow workers to purchase a cheap, well-cooked and nutritious meal for a reasonable price and eat in a clean, comfortable place, away from the workstation.

Child-care facilities:

Many employers find that working mothers are especially loyal and effective workers, but they often face the special problems of caring for their children. It is for this reason that child-care facilities, and day-care centers, should be provided. These should be in secure, airy, clean and well-lit premises. Children should be looked after properly by qualified staff and offered food, drink, education and play at very low cost.

Recreational facilities:

Recreational facilities offer workers the opportunity to spend their free time in activities likely to increase physical and mental well-being. Such facilities can include halls for recreation and for indoor and outdoor sports, readingrooms and libraries, clubs for hobbies, picnics and cinemas. Special educational and vocational training courses can also be organized.