Security of tenure ensures that an employee isn’t fired for any unjust reason. This is maybe one of the many laws that protect employees from cruel employers, and one of many other laws that help companies help each other grow or help the government control competition or help new companies ease out of their infancy.
There are also a lot of strange laws about employment. Security of tenure might look as good as it sounds, but there are some other laws that will leave many people scratching their heads in confusion. Here are some weird laws you might like to hear about.
Saudi Arabia – No men in women’s stores
At an underwear boutique, you might find yourself talking to either a salesman or saleslady or even both while looking for the perfect lingerie for Valentine’s day. In Saudi Arabia, men aren’t allowed to work at stores that sell products for women, such as clothes or cosmetics. The reason this law was passed is that women weren’t comfortable buying intimate products from men.
Portugal – No dismissal
Employers can’t fire their employees in Portugal. Seems like heaven for employees. For an employer to let go of an employee, they’d have to offer the employee a resignation, or even beg the employee to leave together with a package in hopes that they’ll leave quietly and make no noise about it.
Germany – 9-5 only
In Germany, a law prohibits employers from contacting their employees after work hours unless it’s an emergency. This was done to protect employees from self-exploitation, and to encourage people to unplug and actually stop working when they check out from work.
Japan – tighten that belt
In Japan, they require their more seasoned employees, those aged 40 to 75, a maximum waistline size. Aside from the waistline size, their blood pressure, and cholesterol, among others are measured during a yearly medical exam to make sure that their employees are healthy.
New Zealand – no funny hats
Wearing funny hats to work might seem fun to other people, but in New Zealand, wearing a funny hat means that you’re breaking the company’s uniform code, and this allows the company to reduce your pay by 10%. Ouch.
Madagascar – No night shifts
In Madagascar, women aren’t allowed to work at night except if they’re working in establishments run by family. They aren’t allowed to work at night in charities and religious places, too.
India – fire with government permission
Companies in India with more than a hundred employees are prohibited from firing any people without permission from the government. They are only allowed to dismiss an employee if they commit a grave or criminal misconduct. This law comes from the British occupation of India, and it was left unchanged.
China – No hard work for women
In China, women are not allowed to perform any job that the government sees as too physically demanding. This includes logging, mining, or any job that requires them to carry more than 44 pounds.
Some of these laws may sound strange, but some of them also sound like an employee’s dream!
About the author:
Jeric is a freelance writer that features food, lifestyle, travel, DIY subjects, and nature. He is an adventurer, taking on the world and everything it has to offer, may it be the good and the bad. He also has a weird love for reggae and sharks. See: Reggae Shark
