Employment & Labor
Know your workplace rights — wages, termination, safety, harassment, and benefits under Indian labor laws.
Know Your Rights
In Simple Words
Your employer cannot fire you without a valid reason and proper notice. If you have worked for more than one year, your employer must give you at least one month's written notice or pay in lieu of notice. You can challenge unfair dismissal before the Labour Court.
Relevant Law
Industrial Disputes Act, 1947 - Section 25F
In Simple Words
Your employer must pay your salary on time — before the 7th of the following month (for establishments with fewer than 1000 workers) or before the 10th. No illegal deductions can be made from your wages. If your salary is delayed or withheld, you can file a claim before the authority appointed under the Payment of Wages Act.
Relevant Law
Payment of Wages Act, 1936 - Section 3 and Section 5
In Simple Words
If you are a woman employee who has worked for at least 80 days in the 12 months before your expected delivery, you are entitled to 26 weeks of paid maternity leave for the first two children (12 weeks for the third child onwards). Your employer cannot terminate you during maternity leave. You are also entitled to medical bonus, nursing breaks, and work-from-home options.
Relevant Law
Maternity Benefit Act, 1961 (amended 2017) - Section 5
In Simple Words
If you work more than 9 hours in a day or 48 hours in a week, your employer must pay you overtime at twice your normal wage rate. You cannot be forced to work more than 12 hours in any day (including overtime). Overtime must be voluntary and compensated — not doing so is illegal.
Relevant Law
Factories Act, 1948 - Section 59
In Simple Words
Before terminating your service, your employer must give you a written notice (usually 1-3 months as per your contract). If no notice is given, the employer must pay you salary for the notice period. Similarly, if you resign, you should serve the contractual notice or pay in lieu. No employer can force you to continue working beyond the notice period.
Relevant Law
Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Act, 1946 - Section 5 read with Model Standing Orders
In Simple Words
If you face any unwelcome sexual behavior at work — physical contact, sexual remarks, showing pornography, demand for sexual favours — you can file a complaint with the Internal Complaints Committee (ICC). Every office with 10 or more employees must have an ICC. Your identity will be kept confidential, and you cannot be punished for filing a complaint.
Relevant Law
Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 (POSH Act) - Section 2(n), Section 4, Section 9
In Simple Words
If you have worked for an employer for 5 continuous years (or more), you are entitled to a lump sum gratuity payment when you leave, retire, or are terminated. The amount is calculated as 15 days of wages for each completed year of service. Even in cases of death or disability, gratuity is payable regardless of the 5-year rule.
Relevant Law
Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972 - Section 4
In Simple Words
If you earn up to ₹15,000 per month (basic + DA), your employer must register you under the Employees' Provident Fund (EPF) scheme and deduct 12% from your salary while contributing an equal 12% from their side. For ESI, if you earn up to ₹21,000 per month, both you and your employer must contribute. These are your mandatory social security benefits.
Relevant Law
Employees' Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952 - Section 6 and Section 14B
In Simple Words
You have the right to equal pay for equal work regardless of gender. An employer cannot refuse to hire, promote, or provide benefits to you based on your gender. The Constitution of India guarantees equality, and the Equal Remuneration Act ensures that men and women receive equal pay for equal or similar work.
Relevant Law
Equal Remuneration Act, 1976 (now subsumed under Code on Wages, 2019) - Section 4 of the Equal Remuneration Act / Section 3 of the Code on Wages, 2019
In Simple Words
Your employer is legally required to ensure your safety at work. This includes clean drinking water, proper ventilation, fire safety equipment, first-aid facilities, safe machinery, and reasonable working hours. If you are injured at work, you are entitled to compensation. You can refuse to work in unsafe conditions without fear of termination.
Relevant Law
Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020 - Section 6 and Section 14
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