Being an employee can be confusing, especially when you do not know if you are being treated right or not. Now, the law in Florida has a say over how an employee is treated, that is, legal protections from which every employee benefits. However, the rights are not the same for all workers, particularly regarding wages and minimum wages.
Therefore, in this article, we will enumerate the different benefits provided by law for every employee in Florida. Understand that this is a general list; consulting with a local employment attorney regarding the specific situation may be helpful.
Table of Contents
Hours
The hours of work depend on the type of employment, that is, part-time or full-time. For a full-time worker, the hours of work are 40 per week, while the hours are fewer for part-time workers. Also, part-time workers may not be eligible for certain benefits that the full-time worker is eligible for, like leave.
Meanwhile, if you work more than 40 hours weekly as a full-time employee, you are entitled to overtime payment. The rate is typically 1.5 times the usual hourly rate, although you may not get this if you are a salaried worker.
Wages
The minimum wage per hour in the United States is $7.25 for each employee; this is the lowest amount and differs by state. This rate has been the same since 2009, but many cities, counties, and states have reviewed their minimum wage. Therefore, you should research your state’s hourly minimum wage for employees to be sure you are getting paid accordingly.
Health Insurance
The Affordable Care Act recognizes the importance of healthcare and health insurance coverage. Therefore, the Act requires organizations with more than 50 employees to provide health insurance to those employees. However, the health benefits and insurance plans differ depending on the industry, although the baselines are basically the same for all.
Sick Leave
Employees are entitled to a few days of sick leave to care for themselves or a sick loved one. In some states and cities, employers must give their employees paid sick leave, depending on their working hours. Also, to be eligible for sick leave, the employee must have worked for some time.
Furthermore, the size of your employer and your state determine the rate at which you accrue paid or unpaid sick time off. Generally, however, the Family and Medical Leave Act says employees can get up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave yearly.
The leave covers time to care for a family member who gave birth or adopted a baby and for personal reasons. In addition, the employer must oversee at least 50 employees for at least one year before they can grant this leave.
Safety
According to the Occupational and Safety and Health Administration, every employer must provide a safe working environment for their employees, regardless of size. Safe and healthy working environments include training to eligible and necessary employees and providing personal protective gear. Also, most states require that employers carry workers’ compensation insurance and, depending on the employer’s size, unemployment and disability insurance.
Conclusion
These are the general benefits mandated by law in Florida for every employer in the United States, although some depend on the employer’s size. However, depending on the industry or organization, benefits such as tuition reimbursement, retirement plans, and more. “A local employment attorney can inform you of the benefits the laws in your state afford in your circumstances,” says Attorney Mitchell Feldman of Feldman Legal Group.