1. Rights in the Workplace
Part 1

2. Wages Minimum wage in Massachusetts is ___
If you work on tips, the minimum wage may be $3.75
Tips must add up to minimum wage
Tip pooling is often done in service industry

3. Overtime
Most jobs employees who work more than 40 hours in one week must be paid overtime – often ‘time and a half’

4. Payment Workers must be paid on a weekly or bi-weekly basis
If you quit your job, your wages due must be paid in full on your next regularly scheduled payday

5. Meal break
If you work 6 or more hours on a shift, you must get a 30 minute meal break
You have the right to work through you break, but you must be paid
Workers are allowed to pray during their break

6. Time Off
Varies per job
Most full time employers offer 40 hours of sick time annually
Employers must have clear, written vacation policies
Under MA law, an employee has the right to up to 2 hours to vote, if requested

7. Leave
Employers with over 50 employees must provide job protected leave for
Childbirth
Serious health condition
Illness of an immediate family member

8. Discrimination
Employers must not pay one employee less for doing the same or comparable work as another employee of the opposite sex
It is illegal to discriminate on the basis of:
Race or color
Religion, national origin, or ancestry
Sex (including pregnancy)
Sexual orientation or gender identity or expression
Genetic information or disability
Age
Military service

9. Child Labor