Business Roles Flashcards
Human Rights, Inclusivity and Environmental Issues
Human Rights in the workplace
Privacy
Dignity
Equity
Freedom of speech and expression
Information
Safety, security and protection of life
Privacy
Businesses may not violate the rights of the employees and clients.
They should not provide personal information about employees to anyone else.
Information on employees who have disclosed their HIV/ AIDS status/ any chronic illness must be kept confidential.
It is illegal to read other people’s emails/ record conversations unless stated clearly and upfront.
Dignity
Businesses must treat all employees with dignity/ respect regardless of their socio- economic status.
They should not force workers to do embarrassing or degrading work.
Equity
Equal pay for work of equal value.
Managers should ensure that no employee suffers because of discrimination.
Businesses must give equal opportunities against their employees on the basis of gender/ race/ religion/ sexual orientation, etc.
They should apply relevant legislation fairly on all levels.
Freedom of speech and expression
Businesses should allow open communication channels between management and employees.
An employees should not be punished/ discriminated against for voicing their opinion.
They should give employees a platform to raise their grievances without any victimisation.
Information
Employees should be informed/ updated as ew information becomes available.
Businesses needs to be transparent in their financial statements/ Employees may request to see these statements with motivation.
Workers should have access to information, including all information held by the government e.g. policies/ work schedules/ employment contracts/ labour laws such as BCEA/ EEA/ SDA, etc.
Safety, Security and Protection of life
Provide workers with protective clothing, e.g. gloves and footwear.
Comply with safety legislation such as COIDA/ OHSA, etc.
Employees should work in a safe working environment free from hazardous products/ areas.
Employees should take precautionary measurements to ensure employees and their belonging are safe in the workplace.
Economic Rights of employees in the workplace
Free from forced labour
Free to choose or accept work
Join/ form Trade Unions
Right to participate in a legal strike
Equal pay for work of equal value
Reasonable limitation of working hours
Safe and healthy working conditions
Social Rights of employees in the workplace
Clean Water
Protection
Education
Health Care
Ways in which businesses could promote social rights in the workplace
Businesses should ensure that employees have access to clean water/ social security.
Encourage employees/ Provide opportunities for skills training/ basic education.
Encourage employees to participate in special events, e.g. World Aids Day.
Register workers with UIF to provide adequate protection in the event of unemployment/ illness.
Ways to promote cultural rights in the workplace
Employees should be trained on cultural tolerance.
Employ people from various cultural backgrounds.
Encourage employees to participate in cultural activities.
Allow employees to provide solutions to challenges from their own cultural perspective.
Implications of Equality, Respect and Dignity
All workers should have access to equal opportunities/ positions/ resources.
Mission Statements should include values of equality/ respect.
Treat workers with respect/ dignity by recognising work well done/ the value of human capital.
Employers should respond swiftly and fairly to reported incidents of discrimination in the workplace.
Meaning of Diversity
Diversity refers to the variety of people employed based on age/ race/ gender/ ethnic groups/ disabilities/ material wealth/ personalities/ how employees see themselves and others.
Businesses employ people from different cultural backgrounds.
Diversity issues
Poverty
Race
Gender
Language
Age
culture, Religion
Disability
Ways in which businesses could deal with poverty
Reward employees for services well-rendered.
Offer subsidised meals/ canteen facilities on the premises.
Supply free uniforms to employees for safety purposes.
Train all employees so that they can be able to deal with retrenchment.
Ways in which businesses could deal with race
Implement affirmative action policies as required by law.
No discrimination should be made based on skin colour.
Ensure that the workplace is diverse by employing people from different race groups.
Comply with the employment Equity Act and BBBEE when appointing people.
Ways in which business could deal with gender
Males and Females should be offered equal employment opportunities.
Women should be employed to comply with EEA.
Targets may be set for gender equity in the business.
New appointments should be based on skills and ability.
Ways in which business could deal with language
Provide training in the official language of the business.
No worker should feel excluded in meetings conducted in one language only.
Employ an interpreter so that everyone can full understand what is being said in a meeting.
All business contracts should be in an easy-to-understand language and should be available in the language of choice for the relevant parties signing the contract.
Ways in which business could deal with age
A business may not employ children who are below/ under the age of 15.
Th ages of permanent workers should vary from 18 to 65 to include all age groups.
yond employees must be advised to respect and learn from older employees.
Promotions should not be linked to age, but rather to specific set of skills.
Ways businesses could deal with culture/ religion
Cater for special food/ preparation methods in the worker’s canteen.
Businesses should acknowledge/ respect cultural differences of employees.
Business must not force employees to do work that could be against their religion.
Business must be sensitive to special requests from different cultural groups, e.g. allow day(s) off for cultural holidays/ festivals.
Ways businesses could deal with disability/ physically challenged/ people living with disability.
Businesses should provide employment opportunities for people who are physically challenged.
Employees should be trained on how to deal with colleagues with disabilities.
Business should be well informed on how to deal with disabled employees.
Policies and programs should accommodate the needs of people with disabilities.
Benefits of disabilities
Diversity in the workforce improves morale/ motivation.
Businesses with a diverse workforce are more likely to have a good public image and attract more customers.
A diversified workforce stimulates debate on new/ improved ways of getting things done.
Employees from different backgrounds can bring different perspectives to the business
Human Health and Safety in the workplace
Provide and maintain all the equipment that is necessary to perform the work.
Equipment must be used under the supervision of a designated trained worker.
Reduce/ remove dangers to worker and provide personal protective clothing.
Comply with safety laws which seek to promote a healthy working environment.
Role of the Health and Safety representatives
Identifying potential dangers in the work environment.
Investigating workers’ complaints.
Ensure that employers comply with COIDA.
Ensure that protective clothing is provided.
