If you live in the US, the water thing absolutely violates labor laws.
OSHA requires employers to provide potable water to employees in the workplace. This water must be accessible to all employees and can be used for drinking, washing, and other personal needs.
Water quantity: The amount of water provided must be enough to meet the needs of all employees, taking into account the air temperature, humidity, and the type of work being done.
Water access: The water must be readily accessible to employees.
The lack of chairs is an OSHA violation too.
The approved code of practice on the regulations requires employers to provide suitable seats for workers who have to stand to carry out their work, if the type of work gives them an opportunity to sit from time to time and provide suitable seats for workers to use during breaks.
Yes, violations often happen without consequences. But remember, not keeping the poster with all your rights as a worker visible? Is a violation too.
Document it. Photos, screenshots, save your emails, record conversations if you're in a one-party consent state. Then?
If nothing happens, report them again. And again and again, until someone pays attention.
Here's the link with info and how to file a complaint:
You can report labor law violations to OSHA online, in person or by mail, phone or fax. Employees can also file a report if retaliation occu
You can also call them: 1-800-321-OSHA
Keep in mind: complaints signed and submitted to local OSHA offices are more likely to result in OSHA inspections. Therefore, sending your complaints to OSHA's national headquarters may not be the fastest or most efficient method.
If you file online, it's automatically routed to the appropriate local office.
Even if there is not a specific guideline for the thing you want to report, all employers must adhere to the "general duty" clause... and you'd be surprised about all the things that fall under that.
For example, refusal to provide chairs anywhere in the building (in addition to being illegal and discriminatory anyway) also comes under the "fall protection" hazard. The CDC recommends that standing any longer than 15-30 minutes per hour can become a serious health hazard.
Yes- companies will always try to get away with breaking the law and fucking you over. That's how they've made their money.
But having a defeatist attitude and believing there is nothing you can do, and they'll never experience a consequence, so why bother reporting, is exactly how a lot of them keep getting away with it.
There are more of us workers than there are bosses. Solidarity- stand together, know your rights, and fight for them like hell. That is how we affect change.
