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AP Photo / Tim Roske
It’s a scenario that has played in many work places throughout the country. You have a problem with a supervisor and no idea where to turn. Perhaps you’ve always felt that your Human Resources office is more interested in protecting the company’s rights rather than protecting the rights of the employees. If you’ve ever felt that way, you’re not alone and there is a place you can turn to. Workplace Fairness strives hard to preserve, promote and educate on workplace issues.
Workplace Fairness is a 501(c) 3 organization composed of lawyers and other volunteers, who strive to not only promote workers rights, but to provide knowledge to employees, lawyers and advocates. Founded in 1994, Workplace Fairness was originally the National Employee Rights Institute (NERI). The organization underwent a name change in 2001.
Workplace Fairness is primarily Internet based which allows anyone to use its services nationwide. The website is extremely user friendly. In addition to a variety of other pertinent information, the home page has three major access points for site visitors. There are links for working people, journalists, lawyers and other workplace advocates. If you click on the section for working people, for example, you will find a variety of workplace issues including discrimination, whistle blowing, unions and a host of other topics. The site contains an interact blog. While the site is not a lawyer referral service nor is it meant to take the place of legal advice, the organization is comprised of well qualified employment lawyers and employee advocates.
I had the opportunity to talk to Paula Brantner, Executive Director of Workplace Fairness, Washington D.C. about how such a worthwhile organization has been able to maintain itself financially, as it provides much needed knowledge and continues to build awareness on legal issues within the workplace. According to Ms. Brantner, the organization is working to build a revenue model in order to maintain the site. Many plans are in the works to create a revenue stream that will allow them to continue to offer the invaluable information to workers and their advocates.
A primarily volunteer based organization, they work hard to share resources, court decisions, job survival tips and a variety of additional information with workers, policy makers, lawyers, journalists and advocates. Nominated for a prestigious Webby Award in 2009, Workplace Fairness will continue to thrive and grow as it supports those in need of fairness in the workplace.
For more info on the organization visit Workplace Fairness.org
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