employer/employee relationships

• What is the foundation of employer/employee relationships in the UK?

  Contract of employment
• How do trade unions affect employer/employee relationships?

  They act in the interests of employees
• What type of relationship has been established between employers and employees recently?

  Partnership type of relationship
• What is the duty of employers under health and safety legislation?

  Ensure well-being and safety of employees
• What must employers provide to employees within 12 weeks of starting employment?

  A written contract of employment
• What does the written contract of employment include?

  Pay, holiday entitlement, pension rights
• When does protection against unfair dismissal take effect?

  After two years of service
• What is the maximum working hours limit established by European legislation?

  48 hours per week
• What does the Equality Act 2010 protect against?

  Discrimination in the workplace
• What are 'protected characteristics' under the Equality Act 2010?

  Age, race, sex, disability, etc.
• What is direct discrimination?

  Treating someone less favourably due to a characteristic
• What is indirect discrimination?

  Rules that disadvantage someone with a characteristic
• What constitutes harassment under the Equality Act 2010?

  Unwanted behaviour linked to a protected characteristic
• What is victimisation in the context of discrimination?

  Treating someone unfairly for complaining
• What was the first equal opportunities legislation passed?

  In the 1970s
• What is the National Minimum Wage set at for workers aged 21 and over as of October 2015?

  £6.70 per hour
• What was the initial National Minimum Wage when introduced in April 1999?

  £3.60 per hour
• What was the expected impact of the minimum wage on employment?

  No measurable impact on overall employment
• Who benefited the most from the introduction of the minimum wage?

  Younger workers in low-paid industries
• What has been the effect of the minimum wage on employment in low-paying sectors?

  Employment levels have grown strongly
• What is one argument against the minimum wage regarding investment?

  It discourages foreign investment in the UK
• How do small businesses typically respond to the minimum wage?

  By focusing on worker productivity
• What does the Equality Act 2010 prohibit in the workplace?

  Discrimination based on protected characteristics
• What is the role of trade unions?

  To protect and improve members' employment terms
• Why do people join trade unions?

  For representation and negotiation of pay
• What is collective bargaining?

  Negotiation through a representative of workers
• What services do union members benefit from?

  Financial, legal, and welfare services
• How do trade unions support equal opportunities policies?

  By helping eliminate discrimination at work
• What is the role of ACAS in employer/employee negotiations?

  To help settle disputes between both sides
• What does the conciliation role of ACAS involve?

  Discussing disputed issues to reach an agreement
• What is arbitration in the context of ACAS?

  Making a firm decision based on evidence
• What must both sides agree to in arbitration?

  To abide by the arbitrator's decision
• What is the purpose of the advisory role of ACAS?

  To clarify employment law and procedures
• What is the impact of industrial action on businesses?

  Can disrupt operations and affect profits
• What are some types of industrial action?

  Overtime ban, work-to-rule, strikes
• What is an overtime ban?

  Refusing to work extra hours
• What is a work-to-rule?

  Sticking strictly to workplace rules
• What is the significance of strikes in industrial action?

  Withdrawal of labor as a last resort
• How has the British record on industrial action changed?

  Improved dramatically over the last 30 years
• What is the role of the Trades Union Congress (TUC)?

  To represent major unions in national negotiations