Legislation

• Consumer law refers to government legislation designed to protect consumers from poor-quality products and poor business practices
• In the UK, the Consumer Rights Act (2015) and the Consumer Protection Act (1987) form the basis of consumer rights
• The Consumer Rights Act (2015) deals with transactions between a seller and a buyer, protecting consumers from unfair and dishonest business practices
• Under the Consumer Rights Act (2015), goods must be described accurately, fit for purpose, and of satisfactory quality; services must meet minimum standards including reasonable care and skill in delivery
• Consumers can reject a product and return it for a full refund within 30 days if it's not as described, unfit for purpose, or not of satisfactory quality
• After 30 days, consumers must give a business one opportunity to repair or replace any goods that are not as described, unfit for purpose, or not of satisfactory quality
• Delivery under the Consumer Rights Act (2015) should usually take place within 30 days, with the business remaining responsible for the goods until they are in the possession of the consumer
• The Consumer Protection Act (1987) ensures that products are safe and holds producers liable for any damage caused by poor quality or defective products
• The government uses legislation to regulate businesses’ behavior and prevent them from exploiting people
• Laws protect consumers who buy from businesses and workers employed by businesses
• Employment law refers to government legislation designed to protect employees from exploitation
• In the UK, there are four areas of employment legislation that form the basis of employee rights in the workplace:

  • Recruitment: outlines what employers can and cannot do when recruiting staff, and their responsibilities after a job offer
  • Pay: ensures workers receive pay above a set minimum level
  • Discrimination: ensures fair treatment of all individuals
  • Health and safety: keeps employees safe while at work
• The government uses legislation to regulate businesses’ behavior and prevent them from exploiting people
• Laws protect consumers who buy from businesses and workers employed by businesses
• During recruitment, businesses must comply with the Equality Act (2010) to treat people fairly and not discriminate in any way
• Businesses need to comply with the Data Protection Act (2018) when collecting and using personal data of job applicants
• The Employment Rights Act (1996) requires that new employees are provided with a written statement outlining the details of their employment within two months of starting
• The written statement for new employees must include basic details such as the job title, place of work, date the employment started, hours of work, and salary or wage
• The Pensions Act (2008) may require new staff to be enrolled into a pension scheme, with contributions from both the business and the employee
• The National Minimum Wage Act (1998) requires all businesses to pay their staff a minimum hourly rate, with no exemptions for small employers or discounts for geographical areas
• The aim of the National Minimum Wage Act is to increase the incomes of the low paid, with rates set annually by the government
• For people aged 16 to 24, the minimum wage is referred to as the national minimum wage, varying for different categories (under 18, 18-20, 21-22, and apprenticeships)
• The Equality Act (2010) makes it illegal for a business to pay different rates of pay to individuals doing the same job or similar jobs
• Legislation is used by the government to regulate businesses' behavior and prevent exploitation, with laws protecting consumers and workers
• The Equality Act (2010) aims to prevent discrimination on various grounds, including age, disability, gender reassignment, marital status, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion, sex, and sexual orientation
• Protected characteristics under the Equality Act (2010) include age, disability, gender reassignment, marital status, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion, sex, and sexual orientation
• Requirements of the Equality Act (2010) for different protected characteristics:

  • Age: No preference based solely on age unless specific reasons exist
  • Disability: Businesses must not discriminate against disabled individuals and provide necessary access and equipment
  • Gender reassignment: Discrimination against those undergoing or planning gender reassignment is prohibited
  • Marital status: Individuals should not be treated differently based on their marital status
  • Pregnancy and maternity: Women cannot face discrimination due to pregnancy or maternity
  • Race: Discrimination based on nationality, race, color, or ethnicity is not allowed
  • Religion: Discrimination based on religious beliefs, including lack of beliefs, is prohibited
  • Sex: Businesses cannot treat men and women differently unless specific exceptions apply
• • Sexual orientation: Discrimination based on sexual orientation or transgender status is not permitted
• The government uses legislation to regulate businesses’ behavior and prevent them from exploiting people
• Laws protect consumers who buy from businesses and workers employed by businesses
• The Health and Safety at Work Act (1974) outlines responsibilities for both employers and employees to keep the working environment safe:

  • Employers should provide staff training, safety equipment, drinking water, toilets, suitable washing facilities, and first aid equipment
  • Employees are expected to complete training, use safety equipment and tools, take responsibility for their safety, and report any risks
• The Working Time Regulations (1998, amended 2003) place limits on the number of hours employees can work and specify entitlements to breaks:

  • Employees can only work up to 48 hours per week on average
  • They are entitled to a minimum of 5.6 weeks’ holidays per year
  • Employees must have at least one day off each week and at least 11 consecutive hours off in every 24-hour period
  • A 20-minute break is required when working more than 6 hours
• Legislation is used by the government to regulate businesses' behavior and prevent exploitation, with laws protecting consumers and workers
• Businesses must comply with government legislation, incurring additional costs in terms of time and money
• Examples of additional costs incurred by businesses due to legislation:

  • Health and Safety at Work Act (1974): Supply training and safety equipment
  • Consumer Protection Act (1987): Test products to ensure they meet safety standards
  • Employment Rights Act (1996): Provide a written statement of employment details within two months
  • National Minimum Wage Act (1998): Pay staff higher wages
  • Working Time Regulations (1998, amended 2003): Employ additional staff to cover required hours
  • Pensions Act (2008): Make financial contributions to employee pensions
  • Equality Act (2010): Implement processes and ensure they are being followed
  • Consumer Rights Act (2015): Check promotional material accuracy and implement quality control
  • Data Protection Act (2018): Review and delete unnecessary data
• Legislation is used by the government to regulate businesses' behavior and prevent exploitation, with laws protecting consumers and workers
• Providing products and services that meet or exceed legal requirements can lead to a good reputation for reliable and trustworthy products, attracting more customers and increasing sales
• Complying with employment law can make staff feel safer at work, leading to benefits like increased staff confidence, efficiency, staff retention, and a positive business reputation
• Not meeting legal obligations can result in issues like court cases, expensive legal fees, fines, compensation payments, damage to the business's reputation, loss of sales and staff, and reluctance from suppliers and stakeholders to be associated with the business