Workers generally have two problems with the rules that bosses make:
1) the rules are stupid, unfair, and don't help get the work done; or
2) only some workers have to follow the rules, while others can get away with ignoring them.
No matter how stupid, unfair, or illogical, rules are not illegal unless they break a law -- if the rule ends up discriminating against a group of legally protected workers, if it means that workers don't get paid as they should or takes away some other legal right, or if it hurts only workers that the boss wants to retaliate against for legally protected activity.
- Seeing your personnel file
- Comparing pay and talking about working conditions
Bosses often make a rule that workers can't talk with each other about working condition or compare wage rates - but workers have a right to talk about wages and working conditions.