Employees often face routine difficulties at work, but sometimes they deal with the kind of trouble that Bahamian employment laws address. If you are having issues at work and want to know if your employer's actions are legal, read on.

Is It Legal for Your Employer to Treat You Differently?

Your employer cannot begin treating you differently at work because of a few personal characteristics. These characteristics are listed in Bahamian law, and include:

• Race
• Creed
• Sex
• Marital status (single, married, divorced)
• Political opinion
• Age
• HIV/AIDS status

Treating an employee differently because of one of these characteristics is referred to as discrimination. Discrimination may arise when an employer denies you a promotion or raise because of your personal characteristics. It also may arise when your employer or coworkers treat you poorly or make negative comments about you because of your personal characteristics.

Which Other Employment Protections Do You Have?

Bahamian law includes some other protections for employees, such as:

• Maternity leave
• Ability to participate or not participate in a union
• Overtime and break laws
• Wrongful or unfair dismissal remedies

Some of these laws may not apply to you depending on a few factors, such as which type of job you perform and how long you have worked there.

What Should You Do If You Believe that You Have a Claim?

If you believe that your employer is violating Bahamian employment laws, you should speak to a local lawyer who handles employment cases. The lawyer can review your situation and advise you about how to proceed. If you need to file an employment complaint with the Department of Labor, the lawyer can prepare it for you and then pursue your case with the employer and the Industrial Tribunal.

To find out more about employment laws in The Bahamas, visit Gonsalves-Sabola Chambers online or call the office at +1 242 326 6400.