1. People and business
Employment and the law

2. An introduction There are laws which relate to employment
How a business recruits new employees
How a business protects existing employees
What happens if the business fails to comply
Prosecuted by Government e.g. Dept. of Health & Safety
Sued by people / business e.g. for lost earnings / sales

3. Protection for applicants
In law, job applicants have certain rights
Discrimination
Equal opportunity
Employment legislation
Sex Discrimination Act 1975
Race Relations Act 1976
Disability Discrimination Act 1995
Employment Rights Act 1996
Minimum Wage Legislation

4. Sex Discrimination Act 1975
To stop males being treated differently
from females (and vice versa)
E.g. if a job advert for a PE teacher says ‘male applicants only’, this would be against the law
BUT: exception made if, for some reason, the job must be done by someone of a specific gender
E.g. a male PE teacher who would deal with male pupils in the changing room

5. Race Relations Act 1976
To stop people of one race, colour, nationality or ethnic origin being treated differently from others
E.g. if a job advert for a waitress says ‘Spanish applicants only’, this would be against the law
BUT: exception made if, for some reason, the job must be done by someone of a specific race
E.g. a waitress working in a Spanish restaurant

6. Disability Discrimination Act 1995
Applies to employers with 20 or more workers
To stop people with a disability being treated differently from people who do not
BUT: exception made if there are ‘substantial reasons’ for not doing so
E.g. costly alterations to a building or an
office so that one disabled person can
do a job there

7. Employment Rights Act 1996 The business does not have to give a
worker a written contract of employment
Document signed by the worker, before new job begins
Agreement between the employer and the employee
Includes job title, hours of work, duties, pay, notice etc
But: a ‘statement of particulars’ must be given to the new employee within 8 weeks of starting work
This document includes similar details to a contract of employment i.e. job title, hours of work etc

8. Minimum Wage Legislation
To stop workers being exploited by employers
Adult rate (for workers aged 22 and over) will increase from its present hourly rate of £4.85 to £5.05 in October 2005
Development rate (for workers aged inclusive) will increase from the present hourly rate of £4.10 to £4.25 in October 2005
For more details, visit

9. Protection for employees
In law, employees have certain rights too
The previous legislation still applies here
I.e. equal opportunities for all employees
Protection against discrimination because of gender, race or disability
Additional employment legislation
Health and Safety at Work Act 1974

10. Health & Safety at Work Act 1974
To make the employer responsible for the protection of workers from dangers at work
Government health inspectors visit regularly, to ensure that the Act is being followed
Health & safety standards cover many areas
Safety equipment e.g. hard hat, on a building site
Washing facilities and toilets i.e. basic needs
Adequate breaks e.g. call centre operators

11. Revision: a quick test
What employment law applies? Is it being broken?
Q1. Advert for sales clerk says ‘male applicants only’
Q2. Busy VDU operator told to work through a break
Q3. Chip shop won’t employ a partially deaf person
A1. Sex Discrimination Act definitely yes
A2. Health and Safety at Work Act definitely yes
A3. Disability Discrimination Act possibly yes or no
Or: Health & Safety at Work Act possibly yes or no

12. People and business
End of presentation