Human rights Pt 2 Flashcards
Ways to deal with safety and protection of life in the workplace
-Businesses should provide workers with protective clothing
-Businesses must comply with the regulations such as the COIDA regarding the safety and health of their employees
Economic rights of employees
Right to:
-Form trade unions
-Participate in a legal strike
-Safe and healthy working conditions
-Accept or choose work
-Fair wages and equal pay for equal work
Social rights of employees
Right to:
-Clean water
-Education
-Protection
-Healthcare
Ways to promote social rights in the workplace
-The business can encourage employees to participate in special events
-They can provide health care services by establishing site clinics to give employees access to basic medical examinations
-Provide opportunities for employees to attend skills training sessions and with adult basic education
-The business must adhere to the right of workers to have access to clean water and social security in the workplace
Ways to promote cultural rights in the workplace
-The business must train employees to tolerate other cultures in the workplace
-According to the EEA, the business must employ people from various cultural backgrounds
-The business must respect the rights of workers to participate in the cultural life of their choice
-Different cultures can be accommodated by providing different food in the canteen as well as staff functions
Implications of equality, respect and dignity
-Equal access to opportunities, positions and resources must be available to all employees
-The mission statement of the business should include values of equality and respect
-Workers should be treated with respect and dignity by recognising work well done
-Employers must ensure that the workplace environment is safe, fair, and free from embarrassment
Legislation concerning equal opportunities and human rights in the workplace must be implemented by employers and employees
Diversity issues
-Poverty
-Race
-Culture
-Gender
-Language
-Age
Ways in which the business can deal with Poverty
-They should offer subsidised meals or canteen facilities on the premises for their employees
-Some unemployed people from local communities must be trained as part of a business’s CSI projects
-Businesses can provide free uniforms and protective gear to all employees for their safety
-The business must reward employees for services that were rendered well and provide for their basic needs
-The business should consider people from different socio-economic backgrounds and status when they employ new staff members
Ways in which businesses can deal with race
-There should be no discrimination in the workplace based on skin colour
-Previously disadvantaged people should get preferential treatment when new appointments need to be made
-Businesses should comply with the EEA and BBBEE Act when appointing people
-Businesses must implement affirmative action policies as required by the EEA and other laws
-Businesses should ensure that the workplace environment is diverse by employing people from different race groups
Ways Businesses can deal with Gender
-The business must set targets for gender equity in the business as well as the implementation thereof
-New appointments should be Based on skills and ability, despite the gender of the person
-Both men and women should have the opportunity to be promoted to managerial position
-The business should offer equal employment opportunities to males and females
Ways Businesses can deal with language
-The business must provide training to the employees in the official language of the business
-If necessary, the business must employ an interpreter to enable everyone to understand what is being said in a meeting
-At business meetings, no employees should feel excluded because they do not understand the language that is used
-All business contracts should be in an easy to understand language and should be explained in the language of choice for the relevant parties signing the contract
Ways Business can deal with Age
-Older employees can be used as mentors to help young employees to develop their potential
-The business must implement promotions based on a specific set of skills rather than being linked to age
-The business must expect young employees to respect and learn from other employees
-Everyone in the business must be taught to be sensitive to different perspectives of various age groups
-A business may employ a person who is older than the normal retirement age provided that the person is the most suitable candidate
Ways business can deal with disability
-Businesses should employ people who are physically challenged in jobs that they can handle
-Businesses should ensure that workers with special needs do not feel marginalised or feel excluded from workplace activities
-Businesses should be well informed on how to deal with disabled employees
-The policies and programs of the business should accommodate the needs of people with disabilities
-Businesses must create an organizational culture or climate that is conductive for people with disabilities
Benefits of diversity in the workplace
-Diversity in the business is more likely to contribute to a good public image and attract more customers
-A debate with a diversifies workforce can stimulate new or improved ways of doing things
-Employees from different backgrounds and indigenous knowledge can bring different perspectives to the business
-A diverse workforce improves the ability of a business to solve problems, be more innovative and cultivate diverse markets
-A diverse workforce can improve the morale and motivation of employees
