9.6 - Individuals and work: Structures that support individuals in the workplace Flashcards
Rights and responsibilities
Employees
An employee is anyone hired either to fulfill or complete a job that may produce goods or to provide a service.
Rights:
- A clear rate of pay and to be paid the correct
amount.
- Leave entitlements
- Receive on-the-job training and in-services to complete their jobs properly and safely.
- Work in an environment that is free from discrimination and harassment.
Responsibilities:
- Comply with lawful and reasonable instructions given by the employer.
- An employee must not give out confidential information or trade secrets.
- Give sufficient notice when intending to leave.
- Have an ethical responsibility to maintain customer privacy that may but themselves and the business at risk.
Rights and responsibilities
Employers
An employer is a person or business that hires individuals.
Rights:
- Discuss and negotiate terms and conditions
with any employee.
- End employment by providing redundancy when circumstances have changed.
- Expect their employees to follow safety instructions, complete all set tasks and maintain work integrity.
Responsibilities:
- Set out clear terms and conditions of
employment.
- Pay their employees on a regular basis.
- Provide a duty of care, which ensures the
safety of employees.
- Create an environment free from discrimination/vilification.
Workplace structure
Legislation: Health safety
Laws, considered collectively.
Work Health and Safety Act 2011, acts as a safety net to prevent injury and illness AND also to reduce the costs associated with work-related injury, such as legal, rehabilitation and medical costs.
Workplace structure
Legislation: equal employment opportunity
(Equal employment opportunity (EEO) / Anti Discrimination laws)
Establishment of conditions that allow all workers –
regardless of their characteristics – the opportunity to find, gain and advance (through promotion) in employment.
Eliminates discrimination
Workplace structure
Work condition: Definition
Working conditions refers to the working environment and aspects of an employee’s terms and conditions of employment.
Workplace structure
Work condition: Award
An award is a set of minimum employment standards that is specific for each industry or occupation.
- It dictates the working arrangements of employees including rates of pay, pattern of work, overtime, penalty rates, allowances, and other work arrangements.
- The National Employment Standards (NES), set out 10 minimum conditions of employment for every employee in Australia such as leave entitlements, hours, public holidays.
Workplace structure
Work condition: Grievance
A grievance is a formal communication of dissatisfaction about a work situation or incident.
A grievance procedure is a formal process that employees may follow to resolve a grievance.
When a dispute cannot be resolved, it may be referred to a third party to hear both sides as suggest some form of resolution.
Workplace structure
Trades union
An organisation that has been created by workers for the
purpose of protecting and advancing their interests and
wellbeing.
They will fight on behalf of employees to:
- maximise the wages and salaries
- preserve and protect awards
- provide job security
- create a safe and healthy workplace
- ensure equality
Workplace structure
Flexible work patterns and practices
Flexible working practices include:
- flexible start and finishing times
- leave arrangements that are flexible and negotiable
- working remotely (work pattern)
- job sharing (work pattern)
Benefits:
- Increase productivity.
- Gives individuals when circumstances change to continue to work while also meeting the needs of others (emotional wellbeing).
- Can save time and money.
Workplace structure
Work place culture
Childcare:
- By creating a family-friendly culture, employers will benefit by having skilled women return to work after having children.
- Reduces training cost.
Prayers room:
- To create an environment free from discrimination and vilification.
- Having a multi-faith prayers room acknowledges religion practices during working hours.
Kitchen:
- Kitchens create a space where relationships between employees and employers can be fostered and developed.
- Reduces conflict.
Workplace structure:
Leave entitlements: CLAPS
- Carers leave
- Long service leave
- Annual leave
- Parental leave
- Sick leave
Workplace structure:
Leave entitlements: Carers leave
Is paid leave that enables individuals to care for a:
- Spouse
- Dependent
- Parent/ sibling
- Grandparent/ grandchild
Effect on efficiency:
Paid time off reduces stress from the employee as they can return to work and remain productive, without worrying about the home situation.
Workplace structure:
Leave entitlements: Long service leave
- 2 months of paid leave after 10 years of service with the same employer
- 1 month of paid leave for each additional 5 years of service.
Effect on efficiency:
- Gives time off work for loyal employees.
- Employees remain productive and motivated.
Workplace structure:
Leave entitlements: Annual leave
- Employees under the Annual Holidays Act 1944 (NSW) are entitled to 4 weeks annual holidays each year.
- Can only be taken after the 1-year anniversary of
employment.
Effect on efficiency:
- Gives workers time off to recuperate or rejuvenate away from work.
- Increases employees emotional well being which increases work productivity.
Workplace structure:
Leave entitlements: Parental leave
- Parental leave can be taken as a new mother, a new father or as a same-sex partner (either through birth or adoption).
- Only 26 weeks payed in the 52 week leave period.
Effect on efficiency:
- Enabling skilled parents to return to the workplace.
- Associated with less training costs, increased staff morale and productivity.
