We spend most of our lives in the workplace; it can place significant demands on our personal and professional lives, which means that feeling comfortable and healthy is crucial.
Your employer is partially responsible for your well being whilst also ensuring you are working productively. However, some business leaders are consumed with making money, which can result in the unhappiness and exploitation of their workforce. If you suspect your employer might be taking advantage of you, there are some signs to look out for which can confirm this. Read on to find out what these red flags might be.
1.) Inconsistent Salary
If your paycheque is consistently arriving late and you haven’t been paid all the hours you worked that month, then your employer is probably taking advantage of you. It’s highly unethical to have someone work unpaid hours, especially when these are contracted.
Though it’s not the end of the world if your paycheque is a little late once or twice, any more times than this shows there is a fundamental problem with the organisation – and a lack of regard for your needs as an individual.
Even if you decide to leave your employer, this doesn’t resolve the issue. It just means you’ve let them off the hook when it comes to paying for all your worked hours. In these circumstances, we think it’s worthwhile consulting employment solicitors. They will be able to argue your case and make sure you receive the salary you deserve.
2.) Schedule Changes
Unless you are contracted to be on a rotating schedule, then you should work consistent days and hours. However, if your employer keeps springing additional hours on you or starts expecting you to turn up to shifts on days you have off, then they are exploiting your good nature.
Obviously, things can sometimes be particularly busy at work. Being a good member of the team means you should try to help where you can. However, if this is something that you’re always having to do – so much so that it’s what your employer now expects of you – then real problems can start to arise.
3.) Relationship with the Employer
There are two types of bad employer. The first is the disciplinarian, who isn’t empathetic to their employee’s struggles and blames them for any fundamental problems within the organisation. Then we have the manipulator. They will constantly point out what a good boss they are to you, emotionally blackmailing you into doing more than you should.
The latter is particularly insidious. Responsible employers don’t crack the whip or impeach the line of professionalism. They are firm but fair, friendly yet constructive.
4.) Mental/Physical Endangerment
Finally, if you feel unsafe in your workplace, then you need to get out of there. Employers should also not inflict psychological stress on their workers and pass this off as the ‘nature of the business environment’. That’s simply not true – nor is it fair.
Now you know the warning signs to look out for, you can start taking solid steps towards sorting the problem. If your employer isn’t receptive, then consult an employment solicitor.
To read more on topics like this, check out the Business category
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