Legal controls over employment (Chapter 19)

Question 1

What can businesses do without the legal controls?

Answer 1

They might exploit their workers.

Question 2

What is considered as discrimination when recruiting employees?

Answer 2

Choosing one person rather then another based on characteristics is known as discrimination.

Question 3

What is legal practice of recuring employees?

Answer 3

They may choose more skilled and better qualified workers than another.

Question 4

What do employers need to consider when employing and promoting people?

Answer 4

They must base their decisions on the ability of the candidates and not the characteristics.

Question 5

What is gender discrimination?

Answer 5

Treating unfairly basing on gender.

Question 6

What are some examples of legislation to prevent gender discrimination?

Answer 6

• Advertisement for job must not specify a particular gender
• References to work title in job advert must be genderless
• Promotion must not be based on gender
• Wages for staffs in the same position should be the same for both gender
• Business must ensure that the JD do not limit applicants from particular gender

Question 7

What is racial discrimination?

Answer 7

Discrimination or treat unfairly on grounds of color, ethnicity, religion and nationality.

Question 8

What are some examples of legislation that prevent racial discrimination?

Answer 8

• Business cannot prevent employees from wearing ethnic or religious outfits
• Business must consider the religious holidays of ethnic groups
• Business cannot refuse to employ people from particular ethnic group
• Workers must release awareness training to encourage equality of treatment

Question 9

What does employers obliged to help accommodate disabled employees?

Answer 9

They are obliged to make reasonable adjustments to their working practices and work environment to help accommodate disabled employees.

Question 10

What are some examples of adjusting the environment for disabled employees?

Answer 10

• Improve access to the workplace
• Allow disabled workers with time to attend medical appointments
• Alter equipment to accommodate those with sight or hearing difficulties
• Allow more time for training

Question 11

What is sexual preference discrimination?

Answer 11

Discrimination against people on grounds of their sexual preference.

Question 12

What does most cases of sexual discrimination result from?

Answer 12

Harassment or bullying

Question 13

What is age discrimination?

Answer 13

Where a business decision is made on the grounds of person’s age.

Question 14

What are some possible effects on businesses of age discrimination legislation?

Answer 14

• It would be illegal to choose candidates on the grounds of age.
• Business should take measures to prevent older workers from being harassed in work
• They can’t refuse promotion and training on the grounds of age
• Assumption cannot be made only considering age of candidate in interviews
• The business cannot state the years of experience needed to apply for job

Question 15

Why business should not discriminate?

Answer 15

If they discriminate

• They might be involved in expensive legal battles
• They may fail to recruit or promote best staff
• They may demotivate certain sections of work force
• They might create unnecessary tension between employees

Question 16

Which kind of people might be excluded from the minimum wage?

Answer 16

Young workers and those on an apprenticeship scheme.

Question 17

What are the three main reasons why governments set legal minimum wages?

Answer 17

• To benefit disadvantaged workers
• To reduce poverty
• To help businesses

Question 18

What are the benefits of minimum wages?

Answer 18

Minimum wages can provide gender equality and fairness among workers

Minimum wage make low paid people to receive more money meaning that government doesn’t have to pay out as much in benefits to the poor.

Question 19

Why minimum wage might have disadvantages?

Answer 19

• When the price of labor rise, the demand for it is likely to fall.
• Higher wages encourage businesses to replace labor with capital causing unemployment

Question 20

What are benefits of minimum wages to businesses?

Answer 20

• people on low pay may be better motivated and more productive
• Low wage earners will receive more disposable income to purchase for many goods and services increasing the demand in the economy
• As the staffs are better motivated, a business may experience lower rates of staff absence and better reliability