Do small businesses (5 employees) have same laws for discrimination?

[smkw92]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? KY

The company I work for has only 5 employees... The workplace is very hostile. We are expected to work thru lunches, no breaks, boss watches porn on his computer while we are walking in and out of area. I have been verbally assulted by two employees in front of customers. Boss has hit animals... I'm at my breaking point, but can't afford to quit until I can find something different... Is there anything that can be done????

 

[justalayman]

from: labor.ky.gov

Am I entitled to a rest period, and do I get paid for this time?
You are entitled to a rest period of at least ten (10) minutes during each four hours you work. The rest period is a paid break.

Am I entitled to a meal period, and do I get paid for this time?
You are entitled to a reasonable period for a meal no sooner than the third nor later than the fifth hour of your work shift unless you and your employer have mutually agreed to some other arrangement. A duty-free meal period does not have to be paid.

If they are not providing a legally required break or lunch you would file a claim with the KY Labor Cabinet

I think this is the correct form:

http://www.labor.ky.gov/dows/doesam/Documents/ES-8.pdf

Boss has hit animals.

I hit a deer once with my car. Pissed me off a lot. Nothing illegal about what I did though. If you are suggesting he is treating animals cruelly, report it to the ASPCA or whatever agency deals with such issues in KY.

I have been verbally assulted by two employees in front of customers.

that is not likely to be illegal but a company rules issue.

Here is an EEOC page on sexual harassment. It appears the employer must have 15 or more employees for it to be applicable. I have not checked to see if there is any state law that would apply:


http://www.eeoc.gov/laws/types/sexual_harassment.cfm

 

[cbg]

In KY sexual harassment laws start at 8 employees.

 

[smkw92]

That is a big help, thank you!

The business is a vet office, he is hitting the animals we are being trusted to take care of... very sad how he treats these animals...

Lastly, does the fact that he is watching porn on his computer (in front of the other 4 female employees) allow us to have any legal complaint??

Thank you again!!!

 

[swalsh411]

Simply watching porn? No.

 

[smkw92]

Okay, but I assume if we see kids in his videos, then call police? To date, I haven't and would hope that he isn't that type of person... just checking.

Thank you all again!

 

[Zigner]

Not all porn is child porn. Not all viewers of porn watch child porn. Do you have reason to suspect that your boss watches child porn?

 

[smkw92]

Not all porn is child porn. Not all viewers of porn watch child porn. Do you have reason to suspect that your boss watches child porn?

No reason to think... other than he is a complete creep. However - this would be a very serious allegation, and I would only raise the flag if it were an absolute certainty (being a creep doesn't qualify...).

 

[tranquility]

No reason to think... other than he is a complete creep. However - this would be a very serious allegation, and I would only raise the flag if it were an absolute certainty (being a creep doesn't qualify...).

While those who associate with child porn deserve to be arrested and tried,

but can't afford to quit until I can find something different.

you will be out of a job if he is arrested. A professional, like a vet, will never really recover from such an arrest and the business will almost surely close.

 

[smkw92]

While those who associate with child porn deserve to be arrested and tried,

you will be out of a job if he is arrested. A professional, like a vet, will never really recover from such an arrest and the business will almost surely close.

I absolutely agree, which is why I hesitate to complain about any of the behavior... (breaks, lunches, abuse of animals, etc.) There would be a few other ladies this would impact also... I don't want to hurt anyone - just simply be allowed to take a break after 8 or 10 hours....

 

[Ohiogal]

I absolutely agree, which is why I hesitate to complain about any of the behavior... (breaks, lunches, abuse of animals, etc.) There would be a few other ladies this would impact also... I don't want to hurt anyone - just simply be allowed to take a break after 8 or 10 hours....

You don't want to hurt anyone but you will allow abuse of animals to continue when you work at a vet clinic? Really? YOu don't deserve to work in that profession.

 

[commentator]

You think you are "stuck' but you really are not. Get away. Run away from this situation. There is no justification for staying in a bad place like this. You can do better. Good luck to you. I have heard and seen so many people get caught up in this sort of "bad people, bad place" situations. Go now, not later.

 

[justalayman]

That is a big help, thank you!

The business is a vet office, he is hitting the animals we are being trusted to take care of... very sad how he treats these animals...

Lastly, does the fact that he is watching porn on his computer (in front of the other 4 female employees) allow us to have any legal complaint??

Thank you again!!!

as long as it is not illegal porn, the police/prosecutor isn't going to care. Your exposure to the porn is the sexual harassment, if the employer qualifies as a covered employer. That is the 15 employees for the fed law and 8 for the state la which means it would appear that neither federal or state law would apply here.

It appears you still have a valid complaint concerning the breaks and lunches though.

 

[smkw92]

You don't want to hurt anyone but you will allow abuse of animals to continue when you work at a vet clinic? Really? YOu don't deserve to work in that profession.

In those two instances (they occured last week), I made an anonymous call to our local sheriff office.... I haven't followed up yet to see what has been done, but I didn't let it go.

 

[Ohiogal]

In those two instances (they occured last week), I made an anonymous call to our local sheriff office.... I haven't followed up yet to see what has been done, but I didn't let it go.

Anonymous calls matter not. Anonymous calls are not taken as seriously as calls from named individuals -- the credibility levels are considered different. If you have any balls, you will quit and file a formal criminal complaint for the actions and be a witness for the state -- rather than continue to be an accomplice. Every time an animal is abused and you know about it because you see it or are there and do NOTHING, you are an accomplice to said abuse. Apparently, your character is for sale and the cost is cheap.