Employer employee relationships

• What is the foundation of employer/employee relationships?

  Contract of employment
• What does the contract of employment outline?

  Roles and responsibilities of both parties
• How does employment law affect employer/employee relationships?

  It sets rules both sides must follow
• What role do trade unions play in employer/employee relationships?

  They act in the interests of employees
• What does the Equality Act 2010 protect against?

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

  Characteristics that cannot be discriminated against
• 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 behavior linked to a protected characteristic
• What is victimisation in the context of discrimination?

  Unfair treatment after complaining about discrimination
• In what areas does the law protect against discrimination?

  Dismissal, pay, promotion, and recruitment
• What is the definition of minimum wage?

  Minimum amount an employer can pay per hour
• What is the apprentice rate of minimum wage?

  £3.30
• What is the national living wage for those aged 25 and over?

  £7.20
• What are the advantages of minimum wage for employers?

  • Motivated workforce due to higher pay
  • Increased disposable income for employees
  • Reduced need for union negotiations
  • More attractive job opportunities for younger workers
• What are the disadvantages of minimum wage for employers?

  • Increased wage costs affecting profits
  • Potential for cost-push inflation
  • Risk of hiring younger, cheaper workers
  • Possible job security loss for older workers
• What is the purpose of trade unions?

  To protect and improve employment terms
• What is collective bargaining?

  Negotiation for better terms by a group
• What activities are trade unions involved in?

  1. Collective bargaining for terms
  2. Protecting employment rights
  3. Offering legal advice
  4. Health and safety investigations
• What is a strike in terms of industrial action?

  Withdrawing labor completely
• What does work-to-rule mean?

  Only doing specified job tasks
• What is a go-slow in industrial action?

  Carrying out tasks very slowly
• What is an overtime ban?

  Refusing to work extra hours
• What is a lock-out in employer action?

  Locking employees out until grievances are settled
• What is the role of an employment tribunal?

  To ensure employment laws are followed
• What are the advantages of trade unions for employees?

  • Communication link with management
  • Collective bargaining for pay
  • High health and safety standards
  • Access to legal advice
• What are the disadvantages of trade unions for employees?

  • Increased likelihood of industrial action
  • High wage demands leading to redundancies
  • Potential productivity loss due to safety requirements
  • Membership costs
• What is ACAS?

  Conciliation and arbitration service
• What services does ACAS provide?

  Intervention in disputes and advisory work
• What is the role of mediation in ACAS services?

  Recommending solutions for disputes
• What does ACAS do in individual cases?

  Investigates unfair discrimination and dismissal