/n3. Please write a response to the following discussion post. 150 words. . 'Employment law governs every detail of the relationship between employee and employer. It is designed to protect employees and their employers through regulations that guarantee workplace safety, protect against child labor, ensure a fair and equitable hiring process, and address family and medical leave. Employment law also regulates the hours an employee can work and set wages' (McNamara). Employment law helps an employee and employer act appropriately and assists in a business running smoothly. Employers must pay mandatory overtime, offer paid leave, avoid wrongful termination, and refrain from asking prohibited questions during job interviews (McNamara). Employees must abide by the businesses code of conduct and follow the employee handbook. The handbook also provides knowledge to the employee of their rights and what behavior is acceptable or unacceptable. Having helped run a small business, I do feel that we have enough protection for employees. However, I have seen incidences were bosses or managers do not follow employment laws. Sometimes I feel that employees are afraid to stick up for themselves due to fear, even though it is their right. While working in Massachusetts, the boss told the staff that they are not supposed to discuss their hourly rate with each other, although the handbook stated that they could not be retaliated against for such conversation. I understand that discussing hourly rates amongst employees could create toxicity in the workplace and the boss was trying to avoid such an environment. However, I don't feel that you can't give employees a handbook to sign, make them agree to the terms, and then not follow the terms as an employer. This sets a bad example. 'Generally, an employee's off-duty conduct is off-limits as far as employers are concerned. Exceptions do exist if there is some relationship between the off-duty conduct and your business and if misconduct outside of the workplace poses a risk for your business' (Wolters Kluwer). I do not feel that an employer can't control what an employee does outside of work, if it is not affecting the business, representing the business, or presenting the business in a false light. We are a free society for a reason and an individual should be able to have free speech and choices. In the video about smoking being protected in Kentucky, I feel that we have a bigger problem on our hands. Bob Hoffer, an employment attorney, stated that smokers are protected due to the tobacco sales feeding the commonwealth with money in taxes (YouTube). I don't feel that this is directly protecting employees, but Kentucky. I feel that Kentucky is protecting their sales and disguising it as a protection for the people. Another protected question is, are you pregnant? Do you plan on becoming pregnant? I feel this is discriminatory against women, which is a better way of protecting people during the hiring process. McNamara, Megan. (2023, April 04). What is Employment Law? Builtin. https://builtin.com/company-culture/employment-law, accessed February 07, 2024. Employer control of employee off-duty conduct is limited. Wolters Kluwer. https://www.wolterskluwer.com/en/expert-insights/employer-control-of-employee-off-duty- conduct-is-limited, accessed February 07, 2024. Protecting Your Rights: Should Smokers be a Protected Class? YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2dTR1FTqCcQ accessed February 07, 2024.

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