employment law

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Law covering the rights and duties of employers and employees. During the 20th century, statute law rather than common law has increasingly been used to give new rights to employees. Industrial tribunals are statutory bodies that make judgement in disputes between employers and employees or trade unions and deal with complaints concerning unfair dismissal, sex or race discrimination, and equal pay.

The first major employment legislation in Britain was in the 19th century, regulating conditions in factories. Legislation in this area culminated in the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, which set up the Health and Safety Commission. Other employees' rights include the right to a formal contract detailing wage rates, hours of work, holidays, injury and sick pay, and length of notice to terminate employment; the right to compensation for redundancy; the right not to be unfairly dismissed; and the right to maternity leave and pay. These are set out in the Employment Protection (Consolidation) Act 1978. The Equal Pay Act 1970 (in force from 1975) prevents unequal pay for men and women in the same jobs. Discrimination against employees on the ground of their sex or race is illegal under the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 and the Race Relations Act 1976. See also trade union.

The crown emblem was modernized in 1982. The colours date back to the 18th century. Effective date: 18 September 1982. >>