Life Event: Start a New Job



Beginning a new job can be exciting and challenging as well as overwhelming and frustrating. It's normal to feel this way. Not only are there new people to learn to work with and new responsibilities to master but there are also a whole new set of rules and policies to follow. There is one thing that remains constant, however, and those are your legal rights. So take some of the stress out of the whole process by arming yourself with knowledge about your rights and responsibilities as a job seeker and an employee.


The Job Search


The Interview


The Hiring Process

Information You Should Get On or Before the First Day of Work

  • Find out what you need to know about fighting discrimination.
  • Use this Starting a New Job Checklist to gain an edge on your first day.
  • Know what it means when signing an employment contract.
  • Make sure you read and understand the employee handbook.
  • Understand your obligations under non-compete agreements.
  • Important things you should know about background checks.
  • Understand what E-Verify is and how it works.
  • Understand the implications of drug testing.
  • Know what your past employer is legally allowed to say about you.
  • Understand the documentation a new employee is required to provide.
  • Know what you need to about movers and moving expenses if taking a job in a different location.
  • Make sure all your questions about pay are answered:
  • How often are you paid?
  • Methods of payment offered such as check or direct deposit.
  • Know if you are paid for on-call time, sleep time, education, training, and breaks.
  • Know whether you will get bonuses and at what interval and how they are calculated
  • Get the facts about health insurance and other employee benefits:

    If Something Goes Wrong

    • Know what your state's laws are regarding breaks and time off.
    • Know whether your company offers vacation time and how you accrue it and how you schedule it.
    • Know your rights under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).
    • Know your rights in relation to Military Leave.
    • Know what the company's policies are about time off for voting or jury duty.
    • Know how unions work and whether you are required to join one.
    • Understand employment arbitration clauses.
    • Understand at-will employment.
    • If a job you were promised is taken away, understand your possible rights due to detrimental reliance.