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 potentially a whole new set of rules and policies to follow. There is one thing that remains constant, however, and that is 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

• You can search for a job on your own or get help; here's what you should know about job search companies.
• Make sure that there's no digital dirt online that can ruin your chances with a prospective employer.
• Everyone wants to have an attractive resume, however, padding a resume or lying on an employment application can come back to haunt you.
• Find answers to Frequently Asked Legal Questions about applying for a job.
• Older Americans and employment.

The Interview

• Understand the interviewing process.
• Know what questions you can't be asked.
• Make sure you aren't a victim of illegal Discrimination in one of its many forms:
  • Sex discrimination
  • Religious discrimination
  • Age discrimination
  • Discrimination against gays
  • Disability discrimination
• Find out what you need to know about fighting discrimination.
• Find the answers to Frequently Asked Legal Questions about interviewing.

The Hiring Process

• 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 the important information about job references.
• 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.

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

• 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:
  • 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.

If Something Goes Wrong

• 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.