You Have Rights as an Employee: True or False?
By Christie Nicholson, J.D. | Legally reviewed by Susan Mills Richmond, Esq. | Last reviewed January 19, 2024
This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw’s team of legal writers and attorneys and in accordance with our editorial standards.
The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area.
How well do you know your workplace rights and employment law? Are your rights as an employee the same as those of a U.S. citizen? Do all workers have the same rights?
American labor laws are robust. If you have questions about worker's rights, visit Findlaw.com for information. Of course, Findlaw.com cannot offer legal advice. But its information can steer you in the right direction when determining employee rights.
Test your knowledge of legal rights in the workplace by answering "true" or "false" to the statements below.
Answers are at the bottom.
| True_____ | False_____ | 1. I can apply for a job regardless of my race or national origin. |
| True_____ | False_____ | 2. My employer cannot fire me simply because of my religious beliefs and practices. |
| True_____ | False_____ | 3. The law protects female employees from sexual harassment, but not male employees, since they cannot be the victim of sexual harassment. |
| True_____ | False_____ | 4. Under federal law, we have the right to workplace safety. This means employers must ensure safe working conditions. They must also protect employees from job hazards and limit exposure to dangerous substances. |
| True_____ | False_____ | 5. My employer can't fire me once I reach age 65 since the law protects me from employment discrimination based on age. |
| True_____ | False_____ | 6. Gay and lesbian employees have the same workplace rights as heterosexual employees. |
| True_____ | False_____ | 7. My email messages are my private business, and my employer has no right to read them. |
| True_____ | False_____ | 8. All employees have the right to healthcare coverage. |
| True_____ | False_____ | 9. The law protects people from other countries from discrimination. This protection is not limited to U.S. citizens. |
| True_____ | False_____ | 10. Under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), my co-worker can take off to care for their sick spouse, but I don't have the right to take off to care for my terminally ill neighbor. |
| True_____ | False_____ | 11. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) only protects federal and state workers. |
| True_____ | False_____ | 12. All employees can earn as much overtime pay as they want. |
| True_____ | False_____ | 13. Small business owners can discriminate since they can only afford to hire a few employees. |
| True_____ | False_____ | 14. If your employer fires you, they must pay you any unpaid wages upon termination. |
| True_____ | False_____ | 15. The laws against employment discrimination do not apply to nonprofit organizations. |
| True_____ | False_____ | 16. The minimum wage does not apply to part-time workers. |
| True_____ | False_____ | 17. Independent contractors are not able to collect unemployment. |
| True_____ | False_____ | 18. You cannot collect unemployment insurance if you file a wrongful termination lawsuit against your employer. |
| True_____ | False_____ | 19. Your employer cannot fire you while you're out on workers' compensation. |
| True_____ | False_____ | 20. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) does not apply to private employers. |
| True_____ | False_____ | 21. Title VII is a federal law prohibiting discrimination in the workplace. |
| True_____ | False_____ | 22. There are state laws that prohibit employment discrimination. |
| True_____ | False_____ | 23. Employment attorneys always work on a contingency basis. |
| True_____ | False_____ | 24. Your employer must continue to pay for your healthcare after they fire you. |
| True_____ | False_____ | 25. It's best to seek legal help before filing a wrongful termination lawsuit. |
Workplace Quiz: Answers
Your employment lawyer will know that these are the correct answers:
- True
- True
- False
- True
- False
- True and false--it depends upon the law of the state and locality
- False
- False
- True and false--it is unlawful to discriminate on the basis of a person's country of origin or nationality, but people from other countries only have the right to work in the United States if they have obtained that right from the U.S. government.
- True
Next Steps
Contact a qualified employment attorney to make sure your rights are protected.
Help Me Find a Do-It-Yourself Solution
Stay up-to-date with how the law affects your life
Learn more about FindLaw’s newsletters, including our terms of use and privacy policy.