1. AS90844: EXternal pressures on A Large Business
Political Influences (Cont…Trade unions / employer associations)
legal influences (the Employment Relations Act 2000, Resource Management Act 1991, Privacy Act 1993).

2. Political influences cont…..
Changes in policy
Employment protection and legislation
The government are in charge of looking after the human resource of a country.
Legislation to protect resources – Employment Law
Employment Relations Act 2000

3. Trade Unions Relying on legal protection is not always enough
Trade unions (TU) exist to represent and uphold the rights of employee
Re-adress the power balance between workers and managers
TU work with employees and employers to achieve
Fair working conditions
Fair wages
Negotiate collective contracts

4. Trade Unions
Union Intervention TU will be called if workers feel they are being exploited or situations change in the workplace to the detriment of workers.
E.G if redundancies or restructuring occurs the TU will negotiate how many, if they have to occur and what the redundancy package would be

5. Union membership ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES Legal support Fees
Collective bargaining
Advocacy and mediation
Advice
DISADVANTAGES
Fees
Forced to act if you do not personally agree with the union action

6. Other union activity Industrial action Political Lobbying
Public Relations
Legal representation on issues in the workplace (not directly affected by workers)

7. Employer representations
The employers are represented by EMPLOYER ASSOCIATIONS
Groups of employers (managers) discuss how to improve efficiency and productivity, balance the power of the unions provide specialist advice and guidance.
Local Employer Associations are know as the Chamber of Commerce

8. Political Influences: Legal
Business laws focus on 3 areas: Employment, Consumer Protection + Business Operations
Employment Relations Act employees must have written contracts with duties included
Resource Management Act 1991 – how natural resources can be used by organisations
Privacy Act 1993 – how consumers details are to be stored, protected and not passed on.

9. Business responses to legal influences
Businesses have to operte within the law – Compliance department
Laws are always being updated and changed to reflect changes in society
Ignorance is not a defence
Business will adapt the way they operate to follow the law
Failure to follow the law leads to fines and can increase costs.

10. fINALLY……. Key Terms Workbook reference Collective bargaining Lobbying
Advocacy
Industrial relations
Industrial Action
Employer Associations
Chamers of Commerce
Pages – TU
Pages – Employer Associations