So far, this month has suffered so many layoffs that the country may set a record for the highest number of layoffs to start a new year since the crash of the stock market in late 2008. We are witnessing huge, multi-million and multi-billion dollar companies, like Amazon and UPS, layoff thousands of workers. These layoff are occurring only moments after the holiday season – even though, nationwide, December was also filled with layoffs.
It is easy to feel, fear, and believe that the workers’ rights movement is donzo. That, with so much job loss in the air, a chilling effect has crept upon and infiltrated our workplaces. That the people who are unemployed are going to feel grateful for any opportunity given; and, the people who are still employed are going to feel grateful to be employed at all – even if the workplace is toxic and the CEO is a sexist/racist/ableist prick. Right?
Wrong! I am writing this article to assure you and to remind you to remain hopeful! Employment law has never been static. The vitality of employment law lies in its ability to evolve alongside economic and social shifts. As society transforms, workplaces shift, our expectations and needs change, and laws are updated to meet the new emerging realities. Laws get updated when Congress votes on and passes new “legislation,” OR when judges make rulings in civil and criminal cases. For example, legislative and judicial efforts in response to COVID-19 led to additional protections for remote workers and contractors. In general, employment law tends to bend in favor of protecting and promoting workers – and this stands true even in these historically chaotic times.
Workers’ rights are alive and well! Employment litigation is on the rise. Simultaneously, States across the nation are passing and enforcing new workplace protection laws. This means, people are fighting back and responding to injustices in the workplace all across the country – despite the national surge in layoffs. Employers are being held accountable through fines, lawsuits, and public scrutiny every day. In many places, the penalties for violations have grown even more substantial, and what qualifies as a violation has been expanded, sending a clear message to companies throughout the nation that worker exploitation will not be tolerated.
If you feel like you may have experienced a workplace violation – you are not alone. Reach out to an employment law firm to learn about your rights and how to ensure that fairness, dignity, and accountability remain at the forefront of your workplace.
I hope this helps! If not, find more insights about employment law on the Manifest Justice podcast.
Signed,
Carlie Jones, Esq.
Founder of Manifest Justice Law Corporation