My Rights

As classified employees, we are afforded many basic rights by law or through collective bargaining.

No Child Left Behind Act
Get the facts about the NCLBA and learn what CSEA is doing to help its members who are affected by this 2002 federal law.

Discrimination and Harassment
Many forms of harassment and discrimination are illegal. It is important to protect your rights under the law.

Evaluations
Have you received a work performance evaluation that you honestly believe is unjust?

Layoffs
If you are laid off, you are entitled to specific rights under the law.

Collective Bargaining
CSEA provides a wide range of negotiations resources to ensure that our members are successful at the bargaining table.

Legal Referral Program
Members have access to CSEA's Legal Referral Program. Get help on both on-the-job and off-the-job questions and referrals.

Health Care
As your union, we are here to help you get the health care benefits you need and deserve.

Leaves of Absences
Classified employees are entitled to several types of paid leaves of absence.

Discipline
You have the right to due process, including representation, a written notice of charges and your response.

Safety
Workplace safety has been a long-standing priority of CSEA.

E-Mail Privacy
You might want to think twice before sending your next personal or union-related e-mail from work.

Grievances
One of the most useful tools a contract provides you with is the grievance procedure.

Workers' Comp.
Don't wait for an accident to occur. Be prepared in case you're injured on the job.

Hours and Overtime
Do you know your rights regarding overtime? When do you get extra pay and how much?

Education Code
The Ed Code is a collection of state laws that grants many basic rights to classified employees.

Virtual Labor Relations Representative
The CSEA Virtual Labor Relations Representative is a unique feature that allows you to directly and confidentially ask CSEA about your rights on the job.

Frequently Asked Questions
Members can access questions and answers about their rights. They can also e-mail CSEA's Virtual LRR for specific questions.

Know your rights

Involve your union before trouble starts
One of the most basic rights an employee has is the right to union representation in matters related to discipline, reprimand or dismissal. Be sure you know your rights before trouble starts.

Have a union representative at meetings with the boss
If a supervisor schedules or calls you into a meeting, you might have reason to have your union representative present. CSEA representation is not automatic—you must ask for it. The employer does not have to advise you of these rights, but must allow your request for CSEA representation on any portion of the meeting that could result in disciplinary action.

Know the purpose of the meeting
You have the right to know the purpose or subject of the meeting. If you think the meeting might lead to discipline, reprimand or dismissal, you have the right to have a CSEA representative present at the meeting.

Do not refuse to attend the meeting. Immediately notify your CSEA job steward, chapter officer or labor relations representative of your meeting with your supervisor and ask that the meeting be scheduled so your CSEA representative can be present.

Management must stop the meeting
During a meeting scheduled for another purpose, but which turns “disciplinary” during its course, you should request that the meeting be immediately terminated and rescheduled to a time when a CSEA representative can be present. The employer must honor this request and failure to do so may constitute an unfair labor practice. If the employer does continue the meeting, you have the right to refuse to answer any questions that could be used against you. Do not walk out of the meeting, but contact your union representative immediately afterward.

Don't waive your rights
Failure to request representation might cause an arbitrator or judge to rule that your rights were not violated, so it's very important that you contact a union official to preserve your rights.