Chapter

© 2010 South-Western, Cengage Learning

Work Laws and Responsibilities

5.1 Work-Related Forms and Laws5.2 Responsibilities on the Job

5

© 2010 South-Western, Cengage Learning SLIDE 2

Chapter 5

Lesson 5.1

Work-Related Forms and Laws

GOALSDiscuss the purpose of various work-

related forms.Explain the provisions of major

employment laws.

© 2010 South-Western, Cengage Learning SLIDE 3

Chapter 5

Required Work Forms

When you get a job, the government will require a number of forms containing information about you.

You will fill out some. Others, your employer will complete. If you are under age 16, you may also need a

work permit. Some forms, such as Forms W-2 and W-4, are

part of the income tax process.

© 2010 South-Western, Cengage Learning SLIDE 4

Chapter 5

Form W-4: Employee’s Withholding Allowance Certificate Form W-4 asks for your name, address, Social

Security number, marital status, and the number of exemptions you are claiming for income tax purposes.

The information determines the amount your employer will withhold from your paycheck for income taxes.Allowances are reductions in the amount of tax

withheld from your paycheck.Exempt status is available only to people who will

not earn enough in the year to owe any federal income tax.

© 2010 South-Western, Cengage Learning SLIDE 5

Chapter 5

Social Security Taxes and Benefits

Employers withhold Social Security taxes from your pay and contribute matching amounts.

The amounts you earn and the amounts contributed for Social Security throughout your work life are credited to your Social Security account number.

When you become eligible, usually at retirement, benefits are paid to you monthly, based upon how much you have paid into your account.

© 2010 South-Western, Cengage Learning SLIDE 6

Chapter 5

Social Security Forms

Social Security Number Your Social Security number is your

permanent work identification number. Social Security Card Application for a cardApplication for a replacement card

Social Security Statement of EarningsRequest for Social Security Statement of

Earnings

© 2010 South-Western, Cengage Learning SLIDE 7

Chapter 5

Work Permit Application

Many states require minors—people under the age of legal adulthood—to obtain a work permit before they are allowed to work. Where to get a work permit application:Your state Department of LaborSchool counseling centerWork experience coordinator

© 2010 South-Western, Cengage Learning SLIDE 8

Chapter 5

Work Permit Application

What you need in order to apply for a work permit:Social Security numberProof of agePermission from your parent or legal

guardianThere is usually no charge.

(continued)

© 2010 South-Western, Cengage Learning SLIDE 9

Chapter 5

Form W-2:Wage and Tax StatementForm W-2 is a summary of the income

you earned during the year and all amounts the employer withheld for taxes.Each of your employers must provide you

with a Form W-2 for the previous tax year no later than January 31 of the current year.Each of your employers sends a copy of

your Form W-2 to the government.

© 2010 South-Western, Cengage Learning SLIDE 10

Chapter 5

Form I-9

Before you start working, you and your employer must complete an Employment Eligibility Verification form, or Form I-9.

The purpose of this form is to verify the employee’s identity and eligibility to work in the United States.

Along with the form, you will be required to present forms of identification, which could include a driver’s license, passport, Social Security card, or birth certificate.

© 2010 South-Western, Cengage Learning SLIDE 11

Chapter 5

Employment Laws

The federal government has enacted many laws to protect workers.

The Department of Labor is responsible for enforcing labor laws that: Provide unemployment, disability, and retirement insurance

benefits Establish a minimum wage and regular working hours Establish rules regarding overtime pay Help workers injured on the job Provide equal employment opportunities and prohibit

discrimination Establish safe working conditions

© 2010 South-Western, Cengage Learning SLIDE 12

Chapter 5

Social Security Act

The Social Security Act, passed in 1935, established a national social insurance program that provides federal aid for the elderly and for disabled workers.

The Medicare provision, added in 1965, provides hospital and medical insurance for those 65 and older.

Social Security provides these benefits: Old age retirement income (OA) Survivorship income (S) Disability income (D) Health insurance (HI)

© 2010 South-Western, Cengage Learning SLIDE 13

Chapter 5

Unemployment Compensation

The Social Security Act requires every state to have an unemployment insurance program.

Unemployment insurance provides benefits to workers who lose their jobs through no fault of their own.

After a waiting period, laid-off or terminated workers may collect a portion of their regular pay for a certain length of time.

Premiums for unemployment insurance are usually paid by employers.

© 2010 South-Western, Cengage Learning SLIDE 14

Chapter 5

Fair Labor Standards Act

The Fair Labor Standards Act, which is also known as the Wage and Hour Act, establishes a minimum wage.

It also requires hourly workers to be paid “overtime wages” of 1½ times their hourly rate for hours worked beyond 40 per week.

A minimum wage is the lowest wage that an employer may pay an employee as established by law.

© 2010 South-Western, Cengage Learning SLIDE 15

Chapter 5

Workers’ Compensation

Workers’ compensation is an insurance program that pays benefits to workers and/or their families for injury, illness, or death that occurs as a result of the job. The employer is responsible for

employee injuries and illnesses that are the result of employment, regardless of fault.

© 2010 South-Western, Cengage Learning SLIDE 16

Chapter 5

Family and Medical Leave Act

The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) of 1993 allows employees to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave in a 12-month period for certain medical and family situations. Some employers may choose to pay

employees during some types of leave, such as sick leave, but they are not required by law to do so.

© 2010 South-Western, Cengage Learning SLIDE 17

Chapter 5

Family and Medical Leave Act

Valid circumstances for unpaid leave under the FMLA include the following:Birth and care of a newborn child, including

adoption of a childCare of an immediate family member (spouse, child,

or parent) with a serious health conditionMedical leave when the employee is unable to work

because of a serious health condition

(continued)

© 2010 South-Western, Cengage Learning SLIDE 18

Chapter 5

Laws Against Discrimination in EmploymentEqual Pay ActCivil Rights Act of 1964Age Discrimination in Employment ActAmericans with Disabilities Act

© 2010 South-Western, Cengage Learning SLIDE 19

Chapter 5

Lesson 5.2

Responsibilities on the Job

GOALSDiscuss employee responsibilities at

work.Describe employer responsibilities to

employees.

© 2010 South-Western, Cengage Learning SLIDE 20

Chapter 5

Responsibilities to Employers

Competent workThe work needs to be marketable—that is,

of such quality that the employer can sell it or use it to favorably represent the company.

PunctualityPunctuality means being ready to start

work at the appointed time.

© 2010 South-Western, Cengage Learning SLIDE 21

Chapter 5

Responsibilities to Employers

Pleasant attitudePleasant and easy to get along withCourteous to customers

Loyalty and respectLoyalty means that you show respect for

your employer and the company for which you work, both on and off the job.

(continued)

© 2010 South-Western, Cengage Learning SLIDE 22

Chapter 5

Responsibilities to Employers

DependabilityDependability is a character trait that

means you can be counted on to do what you say you will do.

InitiativeInitiative is taking the lead, recognizing

what needs to be done, and doing it without having to be told.

(continued)

© 2010 South-Western, Cengage Learning SLIDE 23

Chapter 5

Responsibilities to Employers

InterestYou should project an attitude of wanting to

learn all you can and of giving all tasks your best effort.

Self-evaluationThe ability to take criticism and to assess

your own progress is important to you and your employer.

(continued)

© 2010 South-Western, Cengage Learning SLIDE 24

Chapter 5

Responsibilities to Other Employees Teamwork Teamwork means working cooperatively in order to

achieve a group goal. ThoughtfulnessBe considerate of coworkers to promote a good

work atmosphere for everyone, including customers. Loyalty In addition to being loyal to your employer, you

should be loyal to coworkers.

© 2010 South-Western, Cengage Learning SLIDE 25

Chapter 5

Responsibilities to Customers

HelpfulnessIdentify what customer wantsSolve problems

Courtesy and respectYour attitude toward customers should

always be respectful and courteous, never hostile or unfriendly.

© 2010 South-Western, Cengage Learning SLIDE 26

Chapter 5

Employer Responsibilities

Adequate supervisionSupervision is providing new and current

employees with the information and training they need to do their jobs well.

Fair human resource policiesPolicies on hiring, firing, raises, promotions,

and dispute resolution need to be fair and well defined.

© 2010 South-Western, Cengage Learning SLIDE 27

Chapter 5

Employer Responsibilities

Safe working conditionsSafe equipmentSafe working environmentAdequate training for working under

dangerous conditionsOpen channels of communicationExpress concerns.Ask questions.Make suggestions.

(continued)

© 2010 South-Western, Cengage Learning SLIDE 28

Chapter 5

Employer Responsibilities

Recognition of achievementAn employee evaluation is a report that

discusses the employee’s strengths and weaknesses in performing the job and how well the employee helped to meet company goals. As a result of evaluations, employees are

given merit pay raises, bonuses, and advancement opportunities.

(continued)