Key Terms
Employment at will
Either party (employer OR employee) may end the employment relationship at any time, for any reason, with or without not
Protected class
A group protected by anti-discrimination laws based on a personal characteristic.
Protected characteristics
Race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability.
Adverse actions include
Failure to hire, failure to promote, demotion, termination.
Examples
Cannot be fired for refusing to falsify reports, refusing to testify falsely in court, filing a workers' compensation cl
Whistleblower
An employee who reports the employer's illegal behavior to a governmental or law enforcement agency.
Passed
1974 Purpose: regulate employer-sponsored pension plans in response to fraudulent handling of pensions that left workers
Covered
Spouse, child, parent NOT covered: siblings, grandchildren, in- laws
Employer-sponsored
Medical, disability, and welfare benefit programs
Funded by
A tax paid by employers (not employees) Administered by: each state individually
Union
An organization formed to negotiate with employers on behalf of workers collectively about salary, benefits, hours, and
Labor law
Creates a framework for employers, employees, and unions to form a contract unique to that business for regulating emplo
Collective bargaining agreement (CBA)
The employment contract negotiated between the employer and union that regulates employment conditions.
Bargaining unit
The group of employees authorized to bargain collectively on behalf of all employees.
Concerted activity
Action by employees concerning wages or working conditions to gain a bargaining advantage. Protected by the NLRA; cannot