Working in the healthcare industry has significant advantages. But it also has many unique employment law issues. For example, the law requires hospitals to provide a safe working environment for their employees. Yet, employers often disregard regulations due to negligence or understaffing. At other times, healthcare employers act in a bad and selfish manner, violating their employees' rights. There are many cases where employers have violated federal laws and regulations. It is common that these infractions involve affectations to base pay, overtime pay, meal breaks, and other benefits. This has led to increased labor law problems in the healthcare industry.
Examples of Employment Law Issues in Healthcare Industry
1) Wrongful termination. It occurs when a person is fired for an illegal reason. It may happen to healthcare professionals when they disclose unsafe working conditions. Also, when they refuse to do something dangerous or unlawful or for reporting negligence to the authorities. In all these cases, the employer violates the fundamental principles of public order.
2) Breach of contract. Refers to the violation of any of the terms and conditions agreed to in the employment contract.
3) Job and emotional stress. Includes both negligent and intentionally inflicted emotional distress.
4) Discrimination based on age, sex, sexual orientation, or race.
5) Workplace or sexual harassment. It includes any kind of verbal, written, physical or visual aggression. Sexual harassment is a global problem in the healthcare industry. Women in this field are more prone than men to experience workplace harassment. Abuse in health care extends beyond physicians, including nurses, physician assistants, and others.
6) Retaliation and whistleblowing. It occurs when an employee, in good faith, reports suspected irregularities and becomes a victim of retaliation.
7) Unsafe workplace. Healthcare employers often feel unsafe due to inadequate personal protective equipment. Also, due to retaliation and intimidation for voicing safety concerns to employers. Or when employers focus on the financial gain over worker safety.
8) Unequal payments. It often involves pay disparities between genders. In the healthcare industry, women experience a higher gender wage pay than in another economic sectors. On average, women earn 24 percent less than their male counterparts.
Conclusion
Contact the human resources department first if these issues make your workplace hostile. The function of this department is to help employees solve problems on the job. Yet, some human resources departments lack the resources for problem-solving or are unbiased. It is also critical that you consult a professional attorney who can legally defend you against reprisal.
You can bring a labor lawsuit as a healthcare industry worker. Contact a specialized attorney as soon as possible to get reimbursement for your infringement rights. A healthcare fraud attorney is the type of lawyer who attends these cases. They can assist you in resolving issues with your workplace by filing a lawsuit for employment violations. You must get essential data that will aid your attorney in constructing your case, like witness testimony.