Marianne%20Meinke

1
Im a small business and I am passionate about
legislation!
Marianne Meinke 26 February 2004
Chartered Institute of Building
2
Employment legislation - information sites

• www.dti.gov.uk/er/
• www.acas.gov.uk/
• www.hse.gov.uk
• www.employmentbuddy.com
• www.businesslink.gov.uk
• www.drc.gb.org
• www.eoc.org.uk
• www.ciob.org.uk

3
A few cost savings

• Legislation establishes standards which help
  employers and employees
• Written particulars required by law have the
  effect of saving management time
• Legislation requires policies and procedures
• Educating staff is vital

4
How to get it right

• The contract may be formed from
• Written terms of employment (express terms)
• Company procedures
• Company policies
• Statutory Rights
• Conduct of the parties
• Implied terms
• Variation is by consent of the parties

5
Think of a time

• When you were unhappy at work
• Perhaps you were bullied?
• Perhaps you were seen as a threat?
• Perhaps your job changed significantly without
  your agreement?
• Perhaps you were not provided with necessary
  training to do your job, or denied promotion?

6
Discrimination

• There have always been laws protecting employees
  from the discrimination. European legislation
  has extended these.
• A DTI report suggests that non white people are
  twice as likely to be discriminated against.

7
Coming changes

• Disciplinary procedures.
• Grievance procedures.
• Generally employers will probably find existing
  procedures are satisfactory. Failure to follow
  procedure will be more costly.
• Equal pay greater focus from Europe.
• Research has shown that the pay gap is actually
  widening in certain areas.

8
Family friendly policies

• Maternity
• Adoption
• Paternity
• Parental leave
• Flexible working

9
Working Time Directive

• Maximum working hours 48 hours per week over 17
  week period
• Opt out may be signed if more hours are worked
• Employers may be fined 2000 for failure to keep
  records
• Excessive hours lead to stress