Before you say ''yes '' to that job -know these rights. -- stop working blind, you have some rights as an employee

 

  For obvious reasons, I have decided to bring up this topic because a lot of employed Nigerians are really suffering all in the name of I need a job. Meanwhile, laws has been structured to protect you. of course, these laws wont speak for themselves. Your first step to liberty is knowing your rights and privileges at work.

Before I point out these rights, i will want to establish something clear. 

when you see "Job opening", it doesn't mean oil well money, nor does it mean ''Carry all your problems, salary will solve it for you''. NO! 

Job openings/vacancies mean ; 

company  is crying;  we need help, please, come and rescue us in the (xyz) department

You, the employee, ok, I can offer to help.

   Remove that mentality that the company is helping you out of poverty or managing you. except otherwise,  they are not doing you any favor. instead, you're the one doing them a favor.

This is because you are the one offering your skills, knowledge, experience, time, and even the not-so-talked-about "Risk''. All jobs have a risk factor. yes, you heard me!

with all these ,it shows you're on top of the game. 

This can only work when you are,

1. You have value for yourself and your skills,

2. You are productive

3. Innovative and able to take initiative 

4. You are an authority in your chosen field

The few Laws protecting employees in workplace  in Nigeria are: (in no particular order)

1. Right to Termination Notice &Severance. Legal Backing; Labour Act, sec.11

What this means is in simple English is, if your job is terminated, you are entitled to proper notice or pay in lieu. when you forget to greet your boss and he threatens to sack you, don't panic. The termination of the appointment is not automatic. there should be processes to it, just like the processes you passed  through during employment, ranging from the application stage, IQ test, and  interview session, negotiation, orientation, and document signings 

2. Rights to  leave ( Annual, sick, maternity). Legal Backing; Labour act, sec.18-25

   Stop killing yourself with your own hands in the name of  ''I can't lose my job'' . so many people fail to prioritize their health and mental health. if you're sick, please get medical attention. some will say, if i leave now, my boss will be angry, or who will now do it for me?. if you slump and die, that same boss will employ some other person to take over your role immediately. pay attention to your health.

The law states that you have at least 6 days  of paid leave after one year of work, while female employees get 12weeks maternity leave with at least 50% pay.

3. Right to a written Employment contract. Legal Backing:  Labour Act Cap L1 LFN 2004, Sec. 7

This part is very important. i had a friend who came to me months back to celebrate his employment news with me. I was excited with him, but when I needed to know the nature of the job and the job description, he gave me a shallow response. I wasn't comfortable with it, so I requested to see his employment letter,  and he said that HR didn't give him any letter. I was pained, I asked him to go back there full-time and request an appointment letter. he went the next day, and when I met him later, he told me his HR said he is on probation, so after three months, if he performs well, they will upgrade him to a full time staff, then he can have his appointment letter. he was so blinded by the job that he couldn't secure it

I almost scolded him, but well, the young man was too excited to listen to me.

your employment is meant to come with an appointment letter stating;

(a) The starting date 

(b) Your job description

(c) Your remuneration. i.e, your salary. 

(d) Other vital information about your  employment 

 Please, don't accept a verbal appointment. back it up with a written one, and ensure you sign. its your right, don't allow excitement  to take that away from you.

4. Rights Against Discrimination (During interview). Legal backing, sec.42 of the Nigerian constitution (1999).

This means that employers are not meant to discriminate based on gender, religion, ethnicity, or even disability during hiring. Don't be pushed to the wall. knowledge is power.

5. Right to fair wages. Legal Backing, National Minimum Wage Act.

  As at the year of this post, 2025, the minimum wage that was set by  President Bola A. Tinubu regime is #70,000. (Benchmark)

This means your organization is not supposed to pay you below this amount. except they are not licensed to operate in the country, which I doubt.

This is what your organization has refused to tell you. They know these things, so you need to know it yourself and give them a voice. Don't settle for less. know your worth. 

we have other labour laws, but I just decided to bring the most violated ones.

lastly, I want to talk about value. Build your value, take diligence seriously, so that you will be able to  negotiate at your own terms. and always read company's agreement form carefully before appending your signature so that you will not go and sign your death warrant😆 just kidding.

There is dignity in Labour!

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LogicPilot