Legal Environment of Business

Abstract

This project is based on a decision of an administrative assistant who has observed forehand of employees intoxicated at work and utilizing the internet for their own personal uses; which is not only outside of policy but unethical. Therefore, the rights of employees and the responsibilities of employers in the United States and Europe will be addressed. The laws, customs, and culture differences will also be addressed. Finding out what challenges the assistant will face if choosing to make a formal complaint with a government agency, the reaction she will face from her supervisors, and any advise of the course of action that she should take will also be included in this project.

Every country has their own individual ways of doing business that works for them. Much of the United States an Europe's customs and business ethics form from their own cultural background and traditions. Although, the countries have differences on how they tend to run their business in regards to employee and employer responsibilities, they also have similarities as well.

Important aspects of an employee's stabilization with a company in the United States include breaks, benefits, safety, vacations, leave, and of course pay. Freedom of speech is also considered a right of an employee in the United States. However, in the European nation, employee rights are more focused on minimum wage laws, disability, work at home opportunities, pensions, and medical insurance. Background checks are definitely a biggie in the United States, but rather a new concept for the European Union. When it comes to the workplace, employees in every country obviously have rights. Therefore, no employees should be discriminated against, denied necessary time off, or harassed. However, remaining alcohol and drug free in the workplace, reporting accurate work hours, and notifying an employer when a need of absence is needed are the responsibilities of the employee. With this being said, unless the employer has justifiable reasoning for conducting a search or investigation; the privacy of the employee must be respected. There are several employee rights including: equal employee opportunity, family medical leave act, drug free workplace act, wages, and privacy in the workplace. The equal employee opportunity is a discrimination law, which basically states that an employee may not be terminated or refused employment due to gender, origin, disability, race, religion, or age. This type of practice is not only unethical but also illegal.

Understanding that a person's characteristics do not determine their work ethic will aid in employees responsibility not to discriminate against their fellow employees. Things in life happens where an employee may need time off such as medical conditions of self or family, pregnancy, or other personal issues.