Which of the following answer options are your employer’s responsibility?
Ever wondered what your employer’s actual responsibilities are with regard to your job? It’s not always straightforward, and knowing where the buck stops when it comes to your employer’s responsibilities can be hugely impactful on your work experience. What are your employer’s responsibilities? If you do have teeth, do not worry, I got some real-world examples from my own experiences to help you break it down and carry on yours.
I have worked long enough to have had enough of the sorts of moments when I’ve found myself thinking, “Is this on me, or is this a problem my employer needs to solve?” It’s sometimes difficult to keep straight the fine line between what you need to do to meet base standards and what your employer needs to remain in the black. But once you know where that line is, you’ll find you can navigate your job much more effectively.
The Employer’s Responsibility to Provide a Safe Work Environment
In terms of workplace safety, there is certainly a huge responsibility on the employer’s part. It’s their responsibility to make sure that you have a safe, secure environment to work. This involves physical safety, or ensuring that the place where you work is free of hazards, and mental health support, making sure you’re not eating up a toxic work environment.
I still remember the time I spent working in an office with terrible lighting and chairs so uncomfortable I ended up with back problems. I felt the strain after a few weeks, and I quickly realized I didn’t just have to “deal with this” — it was the employer’s responsibility to provide a safe work environment. If you’re in a situation like this don’t be afraid to speak up because safety is always a major employer responsibility.
Employer Responsibility: Paying What is Fair
The most visible and arguably most elementary duty your employer owes you is to make sure you’re fairly compensated for your work. Your employer is also required to comply with minimum wage laws, pay you for overtime when applicable, and generally make sure that your compensation matches the work you’re doing. They’re also responsible for paying on time.
And, at one of my previous jobs, I worked during the holidays, and assumed I would get paid for extra hours. That didn’t come to pass, and I had to address it with HR. The issue actually ended up being that the company hadn’t calculated my overtime pay correctly, and we had a rather awkward chat. But what I found especially interesting was this: It’s their responsibility to make sure employees are paid accurately for every hour worked — so don’t hesitate to raise any discrepancies.
Employer Responsibility: Benefits and Insurance
An employer’s responsibility as far as healthcare, retirement plans and other employee benefits go, however, can vary greatly from company to company, and country to country. In the U.S., for instance, companies that have a certain number of employees often provide benefits such as health insurance and retirement savings plans.
I discovered firsthand the necessity of being mindful of the benefits your employer provides. When I started at a new company, they offered me a good health insurance plan that covered most of my medical costs. I didn’t realize just how important having this benefit had been until I needed to visit for a routine check-up. Not only did it save me money but it also gave me peace of mind that I was covered.
Accommodating Change: Ensuring Equal Opportunity in Employment
Many people overlook equality in the workplace when it comes to employer responsibility. But it’s absolutely a must-have. Your employer is required to provide employees equal access to opportunities for promotions, pay, and job assignments in the workplace. It is illegal to discriminate against someone based on race, gender, age or other factors, and the onus is entirely on the employer.
I recall being passed over for a promotion and couldn’t help but think it was because of something besides my qualifications. Following my chat with HR, I understood that my firm had taken great steps to ensure that their promotion process was merit-based, and they were in fact working on improving on past problems. It was nice to know that my employer took their role in promoting equality seriously.
Job Training and Development: An Employer Responsibility
Most importantly, the employer must provide job training and skills development opportunities. Employers should also invest in their employees and allow training programs, workshops and different types of professional development that let you advance in career.
It has always meant a lot to me whenever my employer has sunk money in to my professional development. It could have been a management training program or an online course to pick up a new skill, but I sensed that my company truly wanted to help me grow. It not only provided me the opportunity to add more skills to my resume but also made me feel better and empowered as an employee. And that’s what every employer should be focused on — to help you be the best you in your job.
Protecting Personally Identifiable Information
As technology has progressed, the importance of data protection has increased. It’s the employer’s responsibility to protect the personal and financial information of its employees. From your social security number to your bank account number for direct deposit.
I had an employer switch to a new payroll system and they took care to move all my private information without a hitch. It allayed my fears because I knew they were protecting my information. This is something most of the time is disregarded, however, in this digital era, it is vital for your employer to maintain the confidentiality of your personal data.
Employers’ Role: Helping Employees Create Work-Life Balance
Lately, work-life balance has been a hot topic, and for good reason. Your employer needs to make sure you’re not putting in too many hours and that you have enough time to rest and recharge. Employers should take the lead in promoting healthy work-life balance, they ultimately dictate the policies around time off, remote work, and hours worked.
I’ve had jobs personally, where I was expected to spend late nights and weekends working, which has impacted my mental health and relationships. Eventually, I found a job and a company that truly valued work-life balance, with flexible hours and plenty of time off. From that experience, I understood how much it means for employers to contribute to building a work culture where we don’t have to sacrifice our personal lives to achieve success at work.
Combatting Harassment and Toxicity
Making sure the work environment is healthy, harassment-free, and non-toxic is one of the most important things any employer can do. Be it bullying, comments of inappropriate nature, discriminating practices your employer needs to deal with such issues as they arise and provide for a safe workplace for one and all.
Having been around toxic work environments, I can tell you that this takes a significant toll on you. My current job has a zero-tolerance policy for harassment as well, and complaints are taken seriously. It has made me feel safer and taken care of in my job knowing that my employer prioritizes this issue.
Conclusion
Understanding your employer’s responsibilities can sometimes be a bit of a minefield, however, once you understand what they are required to deliver and provide, it’s easier to fight your corner. From safety and fairness to benefits and professional development, the responsibilities your employer holds are imperative to a high-performing, healthy work environment.
If you’re not sure if a specific work issue falls under your employer’s responsibility, get clarification. And it’s always worth asking for clarification; in many cases, they’ll be more than happy to clarify that their duties are being fulfilled. Understanding your rights and your employer’s responsibilities will ultimately allow you to tackle your career with confidence.