Chapter 24- Employee/er Rights + Responsibilities Flashcards
What are rights?
Rights are what every human being is entitled to, no matter who they are
e.g. food, clothing, freedom of speech
What are responsibilities?
Responsibility is something you have a duty to do or should do. It affects our lives and the lives of others.
e.g. follow the rules of the school, treat others with respect
Define employer:
A person or business that pays employees for their work
Define employee:
A person who is paid for work they do
Employee rights (4)
- receive fair wage
- safe and healthy working conditions
- join a trade union
- treated equally i.e. no discrimination
Employee responsibilities (5)
- be honest and trustworthy
- do a fair day’s work
- be on time for work
- respect the property of employer
- follow rules and regulations of workplace
Employer rights (3)
- decide objectives and aims of the business
- receive a fair day’s work for a fair day’s wage
- fire staff if there is a legitimate reason
Employer responsibilities (5)
- not to discriminate e.g. gender/ age
- keep records on all staff
- hire suitably qualified staff
- ensure safe and healthy working conditions
- pay minimum wage to employees
What are the different perspectives on rights and responsibilities?
( more info in deck: 24. perspectives )
Legal, Social, Environmental and Ethical
Explain the legal perspective
more info in deck: 24. perspectives
From a legal perspective, employers and employees have to follow laws
Explain the social perspective
more info in deck: 24. perspectives
An employer has a social responsibility to pay decent wages and offer good working conditions in return for respectful and honest employees
Explain the environmental perspective
more info in deck: 24. perspectives
From an environmental perspective, employers and employees should consider how their actions impact the planet and animals
e.g. recycle and reduce pollution
Explain the ethical perspective
more info in deck: 24. perspectives
Just because something is legal does not make it ethical. Employers and employees must consider the rights of all humans when making decisions, not just their own rights
Why do we have Employment Legislation (Laws)?
Employment Legislation exist to protect employees in the workplace and to ensure they are treated fairly
Name three important Employment Laws
- Young Persons Act 1966
- Employment Equality Act 2011
- Unfair Dismissals Act 2007
Young Persons Act 1996:
Ensures young people are not exploited in employment and sets out the breaks and rules for working during school term
Employment Equality Act 2011:
Ensures no discrimination when hiring based on gender/ age/ race/ religion/ membership of traveller community/ disability
Unfair Dismissals Act 2007:
Ensures employees are not fired (dismissed) unfairly from the workplace
What is Industrial Relations?
Industrial relations refers to the relationship between employers and employees
Impact of good industrial relations=
Employees are motivated and hardworking = more sales + more profits
Impact of poor industrial relations=
Employees are unmotivated and will do bare minimum= loss of sales or industrial action (e.g. strikes)
How do you achieve good industrial relations? (4 + explanation)
Respect- employee/er must respect each other’s rights in the workplace
Working Conditions- employer must provide safe + healthy working conditions
Fair Pay- employer must provide fair pay for a fair day’s work
Communication- good communication must exist between employee/er
What is a trade union?
A trade union is an organisation that represents the views of workers and speaks to the employer on their behalf, on issues such as pay and conditions.
Members pay a subscription fee to join the trade union
REASONS TO JOIN A TRADE UNION: (4)
- to improve working conditions
- to try to increase member’s pay
- to support members during disagreements
- to protect the jobs of their members
REASONS TO JOIN A TRADE UNION: to improve working conditions
To make sure the workplace is safe and healthy and that employees have and necessary protective clothing and equipment
REASONS TO JOIN A TRADE UNION: to try increase member’s pay
When workers see businesses increasing their profits, the union will argue that employees’ pay should increase
REASONS TO JOIN A TRADE UNION: to support members during disagreements
If a member is being punished unfairly by an employer (e.g. discrimination) then the union will support the employee to correct the action taken by the employer
REASONS TO JOIN A TRADE UNION: to protect the jobs of their members
To help prevent redundancies and unfair dismissals from the workplace
What is a shop steward?
A spokesperson elected by employees as their official union representative in the workplace
What does a shop steward do?
- encourages new members to join + collects membership
- communicates and negotiates with the employer on behalf of employees
- offers advice and helps workers solve any disputes they may have
Industrial Action: intro
Communication is key to good industrial relations. A trade union and an employer can work through many steps before industrial action is taken
When does industrial action occur?
When a disagreement occurs between an employer and employee in the workplace that cannot be solved through communication employees may decide to take action such as Official Strike or Work to Rule
Official Strike:
Employees hold a secret ballot and the majority vote to strike. The union are notified and the employer is given 7 days notice
Work to Rule:
Workers stay in work but only do the basic duties they are paid to.
e.g. teachers of teach and do not do extra-curricular activities
