Research Project
Employer/Employee Rights and Responsibilities - Pregnancy and Work
As the population ages, is it possible that firms would expand recruitment of older people into their workforces? © Photolibrary Group
The tasks so far have lead you into looking at the main areas of legislation, looking at some instances of how that legislation can be applied and interpreted and then to the implications of the legislation on certain types of business. A short exercise encourages you to put yourself in the position of a manager in different industries to understand what the practical implications are of health and safety legislation.
Because the legislation places a number of restrictions on firms, some firms may be seriously disadvantaged by the legislation. In such cases, the firm may seek to find ways around the legislation to avoid placing themselves into difficult situations created by the legislation.
Look at the article onEmployee/er rights and responsibilities (http://www.bized.co.uk/cgi-bin/chron/chron.pl?id=2163). It highlights a problem that some employers face in recruiting staff. The issue relates particularly to small firms who might employ less than 10 people but may also impact on larger firms who may be seeking to recruit staff for key positions that require continuity and stability.
The following links cover the debate in more detail. Take a look at them.
- A 'forum' airing people's views on Mr Bloom's comments and the issues arising (http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,616-1186451_1,00.html)
- Guardian report on the Bloom comment (http://www.guardian.co.uk/eu/story/0,7369,1265340,00.html)
Task 6
- What steps could a small firm employing less than 10 people take to ensure that it complies with its statutory responsibilities with regard to recruitment and dealing with employed staff?
- What have both the employer and the employee to do in preparing a case that involves solicitors and which may end up going to court?