When the economy slows, companies run into difficulties, businesses scale back their workforce, and layoffs increase. Rumors may start flying that lay-offs are imminent and jobs are at risk. In fact, if you look at what has happened with major corporations recently, downsizing is often not predictable.
在经济低迷时期,公司遭遇到难关,企业缩减员工,加快了裁员。即将来临的裁员的谣言满天飞,你的工作正处在危机之中。实际上,如果你仔细看看最近大部分公司发生的事情,你会发现裁员通常都是不可预言的。

That's why it's important to be be prepared to change jobs, because a lay-off could happen to any of us, often without warning. It's also important to know what your rights as an employee are when you lose your job.
这就是为什么提前做好换工作的准备是重要的原因,因为我们每个人都可能在没有警告的情况下被开除。在你失去工作的时候,应该知道自己作为一名员工享有哪些权利。

Source of Employee Rights:
员工权利的来源

Contract Rights
合同权利

Employees who have an individual contract with their employer or employees covered by a union/collective bargaining agreement would be covered under the stipulations in the contract if their employment is terminated.
与雇主签定了个人合同的员工,或经过工会协商后与公司达成一定协议的员工,在雇佣关系结束时刻可以根据该合同或协议争取自己的相关权利。

Company Policy
公司政策

When a company plans lay-offs it may have a severance plan in effect. If so, severance payments may be provided if your employment is terminated.
如果一个公司计划裁员的话,肯定会有立即生效的遣散计划。如果是这样,在你被开除的时候便会有遣散费。

Statutory Rights
法定权利

Statutory rights are those provided by federal or state law. They include unemployment insurance, advance notification of the closing of or a substantial lay-off at a facility (depending on the size of the company), anti-discrimination laws, and anti-retaliation laws.
法定权利是由联邦政府或州法律确定的。包括失业保险,会提前以一定的方式通知员工雇佣关系的终止(通知方式视公司的规模而定),反歧视法,反报复发等。

Getting Information on Your Rights
收集关于你权利的信息

When you're not sure about your rights, the best place to start is with the company Human Resources department. Even if they are in the process of terminating your employment, they can answer questions; let you know what company benefits you are eligible for, and can guide you through the process of leaving employment.
当你对自己该得到哪些权利不确定时,最明智的方式就是向公司的人力资源部求助。即使他们正在处理你的离职程序,他们也会解答你的疑问。他们会让你知道公司会给你哪些权利,并且能够在你离职过程中给予指导。

When You Need Help
当你需要帮助时

If you feel that you have been discriminated against or haven't been treated according to the law or company policy, you can get assistance. The US Department of Labor, for example, has information on each law that regulates employment and advice on where and how to file a claim. Your state labor department may also be able to assist, depending on state law and the circumstances.
如果你觉得受到了歧视,或者没有得到法律或公司政策规定的相关权利,你可以寻求帮助。比如说,美国劳务部有关于每条控制雇佣关系法律的相关信息,并且有关于你在哪里可以提出索赔的建议。根据环境和法律的不同,你所在地的劳务部门也可能会给你提供帮助。

In addition, local bar associations often have a referral service and may even have a hot line you can call to find an employment lawyer. Keep in mind that you will need to pay for an attorney's services.
另外,地方律师协会经常提供转介服务,或者有劳动法的热线拨打。但是要记住,你需要付律师费。

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