In any employment relationship, there is a balance of rights and duties between employees and employers. Knowing what each side is legally entitled to and legally obligated to do not only helps avoid disputes, but also fosters trust, morale, and compliance. Before entering into or managing contracts of employment, business leaders and HR professionals should understand the fundamental legal rights and the obligations of employers. The purpose of this article is to outline those rights and obligations.
To ensure that the employment relationship functions lawfully and productively, there are essential rights and duties for every employer that will be discussed as follows:
1. Right to Supervise, Direct & Manage
Employers have a right to direct work, set responsibilities, allocate tasks, set performance standards, and manage operations, so long as they do so in compliance with law, contractual terms, and fairness. This includes the right to issue reasonable policies, enforce workplace rules, and make decisions consistent with the needs of the business.
2. Duty to Provide Contract / Terms of Employment
Employers are often legally required to furnish, in writing, the terms of employment such as role, salary, working hours, benefits, termination clauses, etc. Especially when local law mandates written employment contracts. The terms in contract may also impose additional obligations (beyond those mandated by law), and such contractual obligations must be honored.
3. Duty to Pay Remuneration & Benefits
Employers must pay employees as agreed, on time, and ensure any statutory benefits (overtime, holiday pay, social security, retirement contributions, etc.) are complied with. Failure to do so may result in legal claims or penalties.
4. Duty of Care & Safe Workplace
The employer must take affirmative steps to protect occupational health and safety. This includes hazard assessments, training, safe workplace practices, equipment maintenance, incident reporting, etc. Employers must also address psychosocial risks such as bullying or harassment and ensure respect in the workplace.
5. Respect Legal Limits & Employment Rights
Employers must adhere to limits on working hours, rest periods, overtime compensation, mandated leave, non-discrimination. They must also respect privacy rules and not impose unreasonable surveillance or intrusion beyond what the law allows.
6. Termination, Discipline & Dispute Handling
When terminating employment, employers must follow legal process: provide proper notice or pay in lieu, adhere to contractual obligations, handle disciplinary measures fairly, and observe due process if required by law. Employers may have rights to discipline, reprimand, or dismiss for legitimate causes so long as justifications and procedures comply with law and contract.
Understanding the legal rights and responsibilities of employers is not just a matter of compliance, it’s foundational to building a fair, secure, and productive workplace. When employers respect employee rights, employees are more engaged, turnover is lower, and disputes are fewer. Before employers hire, onboard, or manage their workforce they must ensure that the employment contracts align with statutory protections, as well as being diligent about workplace safety, non-discrimination, and proper compensation. And must incorporate strong protections for confidentiality, IP, and dispute resolution. And by staying updated with evolving employment laws in their jurisdiction that may be subject to changes. A legally sound employment relationship supports both growth and stability, letting the business focus on performance rather than conflict.
Written by Roaa Abdelrahman
Source:
- Work Employment Law: Understanding the Rights and Obligations – Global People Strategist
- Rights and Responsibilities of Employers and Employees (Chapter 20) – Time For Business
- Work: General Rules – Rights and Responsibilities of Employers and Employees – Éducaloi
