Unit 8 - Employment Law

Word

Definition

Example

termination of employment

The end of an employment relationship, whether initiated by the employer or the employee

The termination of employment was abrupt and unexpected, leaving the employee in a state of uncertainty

employment tribunals

Legal bodies or courts that handle disputes and claims related to employment issues and rights

Disputes related to unfair dismissal can be brought before employment tribunals to seek resolution

discriminatory dismissal

The termination of an employee's contract of employment based on discrimination, often unlawfully

The employee claimed that their termination was a discriminatory dismissal based on their age and filed a complaint

Employment legislation

Laws and regulations that govern various aspects of the employer-employee relationship and workplace

Employment legislation is continuously updated to ensure fair treatment and protection for workers in the labor market

sex discrimination

Unfair treatment or bias based on an individual's gender or sex, which is prohibited by law

The company has a strict policy against sex discrimination and provides equal opportunities for all employees

race relations

The interactions, attitudes, and policies concerning different racial or ethnic groups within society

Promoting positive race relations in the workplace is essential for fostering a diverse and inclusive environment

disability

A physical or mental condition that substantially limits one's ability to perform certain life activities

The disability discrimination act prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in employment

terms and conditions of employment

The specific provisions, rules, and agreements that outline the terms of an employment contract

The terms and conditions of employment must be clearly communicated to all new hires during the orientation process

genuine occupational qualification

A valid and necessary job requirement that may justify discrimination based on certain characteristics

There are limited circumstances where a genuine occupational qualification allows employers to set specific job requirements

date of employment

The date on which an individual begins working for an employer or the start date of their employment

The date of employment is essential for calculating the employee's length of service and entitlements

holiday entitlement

The number of paid vacation days or annual leave days to which an employee is entitled based on employment terms

Employees are entitled to a specific number of paid leave days per year, in accordance with their holiday entitlement

unfair dismissal

The termination of an employee's contract without a fair or legal reason, often resulting in legal claims

The employee claimed that their dismissal was an unfair dismissal and sought reinstatement through legal action

redundancy dismissal

The termination of an employee's contract due to redundancy or the elimination of their position

Many employees faced redundancy dismissal due to the company's restructuring efforts during the economic downturn

trade union

An organization representing the interests and rights of workers in labor-related matters

The trade union negotiated for better working conditions and secured improved benefits for its members

collective bargaining

Negotiations between employers and employee representatives, often unions, to establish employment terms

Collective bargaining between labor unions and management resulted in a new employment contract with favorable terms

arbitration process

A method of resolving disputes where a neutral third party makes a binding decision based on presented evidence

The arbitration process is often chosen as an alternative dispute resolution method to avoid lengthy court battles

strike

A work stoppage or industrial action by employees to protest workplace conditions, often organized by a union

The employees decided to go on strike to protest against unfair labor practices and demand better wages

picketing

The act of demonstrating or picketing outside a workplace to raise awareness or advocate for workers' rights

The striking workers engaged in picketing outside the company premises, peacefully advocating for their rights

injunction

A court order that requires or prohibits specific actions or behaviors, often used to stop a strike or protest

The court issued an injunction to prevent the company from taking retaliatory actions against the striking employees

lockout

An employer-initiated action that involves temporarily barring employees from entering the workplace

The lockout initiated by the employer halted all work activities until a resolution to the labor dispute was reached

marital status

An individual's legal status regarding marriage, including being married, single, divorced, or widowed

The company's non-discrimination policy extends to marital status, ensuring that employees are treated fairly

ethnic origins

A person's ancestry or cultural heritage, often used in the context of discrimination or equal treatment

Discrimination based on ethnic origins is strictly prohibited in the workplace, promoting diversity and inclusion

to outlaw something

To make something illegal or prohibited by law

The new legislation seeks to outlaw discrimination in all forms, ensuring equal opportunities for everyone

to bring a claim against someone

To initiate legal proceedings or file a complaint against someone, often in response to perceived wrongdoing

The employee decided to bring a claim against their former employer for wrongful termination and discrimination

landmark case

A legal case that establishes new legal precedents or principles and has a significant impact on future cases

The landmark case set a legal precedent that significantly impacted how employment discrimination cases are handled

discriminatory culture

A workplace environment or atmosphere that promotes or tolerates discrimination based on certain characteristics

The company's leadership committed to addressing the discriminatory culture within the organization through diversity training

to waive rights

to give something up

The employee chose to waive their rights to legal action by accepting a settlement offer from the employer

to hear a case

to listen to a case at a relatively formal proceeding

The employment tribunal will hear the case and make a determination on whether the dismissal was unfair

to plead a case

to argue a case in court

The legal team will plead the case on behalf of the employee, presenting evidence of discriminatory practices

to apply a law

to make use of something (when deciding a case)

Employers are required to apply the law in their hiring practices, ensuring compliance with anti-discrimination statutes

to appeal a case

to formally request that a decision of an inferior body be reviewed by a superior one

If dissatisfied with the tribunal's decision, either party can appeal the case to a higher court for reconsideration

to challenge an award

to question something

The employee's legal representative decided to challenge the award, believing it did not adequately compensate the harm suffered