Employer and employee rights and responsibilities could be categorised as: • Legal (required by law) • Social (for the good of staff relationships and morale) • Ethical (proper and moral behaviour) • Environmental (to promote sustainability).
Some rights and responsibilities may fall into more than one of these categories. For example, an employee’s right to be treated equally and with respect is both required by law (legal) and good for staff relationships and morale (social).
Workplace rights and responsibilities A
Go to page 85 of your Activities and Accounts Book to match the rights and responsibilities listed to the most appropriate categories.
Many workplaces now have environmental or sustainability policies. In groups, discuss and make a list of things that employees could do in the workplace in order to reduce waste and save energy.
INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS
The relationship between employers and employees in a workplace is described by the term industrial relations.
When staff feel that they are being treated well in the workplace they are more likely to work harder, which in turn leads to success for the organisation. Maintaining good industrial relations is therefore in the best interests of both employers and employees.
i
Industrial relations is the relationship between employers and employees in a workplace.
TRADE UNIONS
All employees have the right to become a member of a trade union. A trade union is an organisation of workers set up to protect and improve the employment rights and conditions of its members.
Trade unions:
• Aim to increase members’ pay. • Aim to improve members’ working conditions.
• Aim to protect members’ jobs by trying to stop workers from being dismissed or made redundant unfairly.
• Offer information and advice to members. • Represent members who are involved in industrial disputes (disagreements).
