ERR-Workbook Questions

ERR-Workbook Questions


Q1. What three elements must an Apprenticeship Agreement contain? Write down three examples.

1. Hours of work

2. Holiday entitlement

3. Rate of pay

Q2. Give three examples of legally-binding contract terms.

1. How long the employment lasts, whether the contract gets renewed each year or if the contract shows that the employee has to work for a certain amount of months or even years.

2. How much notice the employee must give the employer for when they are wanting to leave the job.

3. How much holiday time you can have a year, or if you still will get paid when off.

Q3. There are three types of employment status - a 'worker', an 'employee' or 'self-employed'. What are the basic employment rights for each employment status.

Worker

1. Being paid the national minimum wage for their work

2. Being protected from unlawful discrimination

3. Also being protected from unlawful deduction of their wages, so working less than the minimum wage or what they have discussed with the employer that will be their hourly pay.

Employee

1. Getting maternity, paternity and adoption leave and also pay for the time they have off for it.

2. Notice for when their employment will be ending, so they have time to find other work.

3. Having the rights to request flexible hours and days.

Self-employee

1. Their health

2. Their safety while working, especially with dangerous equipment

3. Any other rights that are decided as they work for themselves, so their contract could differ from others, so for example their holiday time could be longer or shorter.

Q4. If you have a grievance, who would you report it to?

Name: Rachael Hand

Job title: Director

Q5. Name three things an organisation's grievance procedure should contain?

1. Who to send the letter to, so that it can be responded to properly

2. The rights for a meeting to take place to discuss the grievance and what can be done about it

3. How to appeal the employer's decision

Q6. What are four types of discrimination covered under racial discrimination?

1. Direct discrimination is when someone is being treated unfairly because of their actual race or what others think their race is.

2. Indirect discrimination is when politics, practices and procedures are a disadvantage towards people of different races

3. Harassment is when someone is harassed either physically, emotionally or through speech because of their race.

4. Victimisation is when someone is treated unfairly because of their race and have been singled out of doing something wrong in which they haven't actually done.

Q7. Give an example of indirect discrimination in terms of race.

An example for indirect discrimination is if a company requires all of their employees to wear a uniform and have a certain hairstyle, but this could indirectly discriminate an individual if they have a certain religion which requires they wear a headscarf or that they have a certain hairstyle which the company doesn't want their employees to have.

Q8. Give three examples of aspects of employment that are covered by sex and discrimination law.

1. That both sexes get paid equally and fairly unless there is a valid reason for not being paid the same as the opposite sex, so if the job was more qualified then this would be a valid reason for being paid more than someone else.

2. That everyone has the same training.

3. That everyone has the chance of a promotion or pay rise, gender shouldn't determine whether someone gets different opportunities in getting a promotion.

Q9. Give three examples of when sex discrimination might not apply.

1. When the job is in a school which is a single-sex school so the teachers and workers are the same sex, as it is a 'genuine occupational qualification' that is required.

2. Certain jobs in different welfare services.

3. Acting or modelling jobs that specifically want a certain gender for the role.

Q10. Under what circumstances can positive action be applied?

This is where the employer takes action into helping a certain individual or a group of people who are disadvantaged to getting employed because of a protected characteristic, so this could include giving training to them so that they have the same chances as everyone else for a job placement.

Q11. Name five aspects of employment relating to age that fall under the protection of the Equality Act  (2010).

1. Getting direct discrimination because other employees think they are either too old or too young for the job role or that the employer wants someone who is mature or young.

2. Getting perceptive discrimination because others  may think because the employee is young they are not experienced enough for the role they have, but this is just because of what they observe and not what they know.

3. Indirect discrimination, so they employer not wanting a certain age working for them.

4. Harassment because of the employees age, can apply for younger employees or older  employees.

5. Victimisation of someone just because of their age, being singled out and being complained about because of their age and it not being true and fair.

Q12. Give three examples of age discrimination which may occur during the recruitment process.

1. The employer may not accept someone because they think they are too 'young'.

2. They could also not employee someone because they are too 'old' for the job but could have all the right qualifications and training for the job but are being discriminated by age.

3. Unless the job requires to have a good health, age shouldn't matter because the employer wants someone with 'energy' or 'enthusiasm'.

Q13. Give three examples of disability discrimination.

1. Being directly discriminated because of a disability either physical or mental, so being treated unfairly because of it.

2. Asking unnecessary questions that are on a personal level, unless some questions are required to be answered for the persons safety in the work place.

3. Being indirectly discriminated so that the company doesn't allow them to do certain things just because they have a disability unless it would be unsafe for them.

Q14. What is 'working' time?

It is the regulations that apply to all employers, it is a result of the Working Time Directive and Working Time Regulations Act.

Q15. What are the maximum hours allowed at work for those aged between 16 and 17?

A day: 8 hours

A week: 40 hours

Q16. How many days paid holiday a year are employees entitled to if they are working:

A five day week: 28 paid days off including holidays and bank holiday days.

A three day week: 16 paid days off for holidays.

A two day week: 11 paid days for holidays.

You basically times the amount of days you work with the workers entitled minimum 5.6 weeks off per year of paid holidays.

Q17. What is the minimum amount of uninterrupted daily rest that an adult worker should have over the period of a fortnight?

They should have 20 mins a day that are uninterrupted and 48 hours a week if they are working full time, so for example they have the weekend off and work only the other 5 days a week.

Q18. How much notice do you need to give to your employer when applying for annual leave?

You should give your employer double the amount of time you want to have off. So if you want a week off, then you should give your employer two weeks notice.

Q19. How much annual leave are you entitled to?

The minimum is 5.6 weeks of annual paid holidays per year.

Q20. How much maternity leave are mothers entitled to and how is it paid?

Mothers are entitled to a years leave (52 weeks) for maternity and they are only paid for 39 weeks.

Q21. What condition applies for women to qualify to receive Statutory Maternity pay?

You must of been in the same job or been employed by the same company for at least 26 continuous weeks.

Q22. How much paternity leave are fathers entitled to?

They can have either one or two weeks off that are paid for because of paternity leave.

Q23. What is parental leave and how long is it for?

This is where parents take time off work to spend time either looking after their child because of medical reasons or to spend more time with and getting a balance between work and personal needs. Parents can have 18 weeks off for this, and this can be spread throughout the year how the parents want as long as they give notice for their leave.

Q24. What is the statutory level of sick pay?

It is £88.45 for up to 28 weeks.

Q25. In what circumstances would an employee not qualify for SSP?

If an apprentice has worked less than three months in the organisation then they are not entitled to SSP. Also if they have already taken the 28 weeks off, or have taken off the time in 'linked periods' so it is becoming a pattern to when they are wanting sick pay.

Q26. What are the arrangements for notification of sickness in your organisation?

If I am sick in short notice then I can ring Rachael and arrange something, as either Rachael could fill in my day off ill or Vanessa.
If I was going to be off for a long period because of an illness then I would have to self certify my illness for four days and then after that I must show a doctors note. I would have to give plenty of notice for this so that my days working would be sorted out.

Q27. How much sick pay are you entitled to in your organisation?  

I would get paid the Statutory sick pay which is £88.45 a week for up to 28 weeks.

Q28. Answer any three questions from the checklist on page 31.

1. Is sensitive personal data kept separate from other personal data?

Yes, because sensitive personal data could included things like mental health, trade union activities, details of criminal offences and many other details about someone, such information shouldn't be kept on laptops or portable storage devices as it could easily be accessed unless encrypted, so this sensitive data is kept in filing cabinets which are locked.

3. If I'm asked to pass on personal information, would the people about whom I hold information expect me do this?

No, personal information shouldn't be passed on to others unless you have someone's permission to do so and only if they are fully aware of it, so if I was going to pass on personal information then they would be aware of me doing this and would then expect me to do it after I have asked them.

5. Is access to personal information limited to those with a strict need to know?

Yes, only those in the company who need the information know.

Q29. How do you exercise your right to access your personal records?

You can ask who knows what and ask for your records and expect a copy of your personal information within 40 days. You have the right to know what your employer knows about you and how they are using that information.  

Q30. Name five powers that the Health and Safety Executive have?

1. Enter and inspect places of business.

2. Take samples which could include measurements and photographs of the work area.

3. Have the power to enforce a certain area of piece of equipment be left undisturbed.

4. Be able to destroy or take any dangerous items in the work area.

5. Ask or have interviews of any employees or employers about the health and safety about the health and safety in the business.

Q31. Name three characteristics that may need to be accounted for within health and safety policy?

1. Accidents

2. Intentional injuries to yourself or others

3. Any medical emergencies

Q32. Name two responsibilities that employees have under health and safety legislation?

1. That they must be responsible and take care to avoid harm to themselves and others, so using the equipment in the correct way so that careful measures are taken.

2. To observe all the general health and safety regulations and any codes of practice.

Q33. Give one example of health and safety regulation and explain how it applies to your workplace.

Providing drinking water, toilet facilities and washing facilities. In my workplace there is a private toilet which can only be used by employees and employers and not the public, also their is a drinking tap in the kitchen area. Furthermore in the same building there is a café which you can buy drinks and food from.

Q34. Who is responsible for health and safety at my workplace?

Rachael Hand is responsible for the health and safety at my workplace.

Q35. Who is the health and safety representative in your work place?

Name: Rachael Hand

Job title: Director of the business    

Q36. Where would you find information within your organisation about the following topics?

Personnel issues

I could go to Rachael or Sara who I could get the support I needed, either in person, on the phone or through an email.

Training opportunities

This would be through Chesterfield college, which would let me know about additional training course that were available for me or any other course that would be good for me to take in addition to my current course. You can also look on the Chesterfield college website for different opportunities.  

Additional learning support

For support I could go to either Rachael who is the director of the company or email or ring Sara Nevison who is my tutor for the apprenticeship, who I could go to about anything, whether it was work related or something personal that was bothering me.

Q37. Which external sources are available to you for information and advice relating employment issues?

Health and safety at work

To find information about your health and safety rights in the workplace, you can have a look on the Acas website which covers a lot of topics that are related to any employment issues that people might face while working. Below is the page where you can read all about your health in your workplace.

Equal opportunities

The same website also covers any questions or worries about having the same rights as anyone else in the workplace.

Data protection

Access to work

Overall you can pretty much find any topic on this website and it is available for anyone to access.

Q38. What are the main changes that have taken place in your area of business over the last few years?

1. Heirlooms ever after is an ever changing business as it is in the bridal industry which is changing none stop. Firstly, the business manufactures its own products and so the designs over the years have changed with what the latest trends are. This then means that the business is always looking for inspiration and ideas to help improve current products and in designing new products.

2. The social media pages have grown as a result to technology growing and more people using it. So the business website has been re-done to look more modern and we have almost all of the social media platforms now to connect with customers and other businesses.

3. From being just an online shop, the business opened a shop in Bakewell so that customers could come and see the products for themselves and opening business to the locals of the area.

Q39. An example of  how the changes in Q38 have affected roles in your organisation.

Overall the roles of each employee hasn't changed too much. Vanessa still is in charge of designing and manufacturing products that are bespoke for brides, but she also works some days in the shop and is doing more in the retail area. Rachael is still the director and is in charge of managing the business' online work, maintaining the website and social medias. But now is also helping myself with my apprenticeship and is teaching me things she knows about how social media works for the business and doing work on the website.

Q40. Draw a chart of your organisation, including your colleagues' job roles and to whom they are responsible. Make sure to include yourself.

Q41. Who would you discuss your training and development options with?

Name: Rachael Hand and Vanessa Rosevear

Job title: Director and Designer

Q42. List three opportunities for training and development provided by your employer.  

While working I am always developing my skills in many areas, such as customer service, sending off packages, taking online payments, over the phone payments on the card machine and practicing my skills in social media and web design.  

Q43. Name three occupations that fall within the pan-sector.

1. Web designer

2. Social media manager

3. Secretary

Q44. List three examples of changes to your personal circumstances that would need to be reported to your employer, and to whom you would report these changes to.

Change: An illness that means I need to have time off or cannot work as many hours that I am required to work each week.

Report to: Rachael Hand

Change:

Report to:

Change:

Report to:

Q45. Name four things that trade unions can do for their members.

1. Get compensation for their members.

2. Help with equal pay rights for their members.

3. Help to improve the conditions that their members work in.

4. Help employers to become the best they can, resulting in the employees happiness in the work place.

Q46. Name the main trade union for your occupation/industry.

Doesn't apply to our company as it is too small.

Q47. Name the Standard Setting Organisation in your sector and briefly explain what it does.

N/A

Q48. Name any other bodies relevant to your area of business.

N/A