In every workplace both the employer and the employee have rights (things they are entitled to) and responsibilities (things they must do). For the Junior Cycle exam, you must distinguish between these rights and responsibilities across legal, social, environmental, and ethical perspectives, and understand how workplace disputes are resolved.
The Contract of Employment
A contract of employment is the written agreement between an employer and an employee setting out the terms and conditions of the job. By law, the employer must provide this in writing.
Key contents of a contract of employment include:
- Names of the employer and the employee
- Job title and main duties
- Rate of pay and how often it is paid
- Hours of work and overtime rules
- Holiday entitlement and sick leave terms
- Notice period required to end employment
Rights and Responsibilities Across the Four Perspectives
A right is an entitlement a person is due, while a responsibility is a duty they must carry out. In the workplace, an employee's right is usually an employer's responsibility.
| Perspective | Employer Rights & Responsibilities | Employee Rights & Responsibilities |
|---|---|---|
| Legal | Rights: Hire suitable staff on merit; dismiss staff fairly for misconduct following proper procedures.<br>Responsibilities: Under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005, provide a safe workplace, safety training, protective equipment, and a safety statement; pay at least the statutory National Minimum Wage; allow staff to join a union. | Rights: Receive at least the minimum wage with regular payslips; work in a safe workplace; join a trade union; be treated equally and not be discriminated against.<br>Responsibilities: Carry out contracted work with care; follow safety rules, wear protective gear, and report hazards; respect company property. |
| Social | Rights: Expect cooperation and loyalty from staff.<br>Responsibilities: Support work-life balance and respect diversity. | Rights: Fair treatment and dignity at work.<br>Responsibilities: Treat colleagues and customers with respect and avoid bullying. |
| Environmental | Rights: Expect staff to follow green workplace policies.<br>Responsibilities: Comply with environmental laws and provide recycling and waste facilities. | Rights: Expect the employer to obey environmental laws and provide proper recycling facilities.<br>Responsibilities: Turn off unused equipment, reduce waste, and sort recyclables. |
| Ethical | Rights: Expect honesty and confidentiality.<br>Responsibilities: Treat staff with equal dignity and give honest feedback and references. | Rights: Receive honest feedback and fair treatment.<br>Responsibilities: Record hours honestly and never disclose private business information. |
Industrial Relations and Dispute Resolution
Industrial relations is the relationship between employers and employees in a workplace. A trade union represents workers to protect their pay and working conditions through collective bargaining.
When disputes arise, resolution follows three clear stages:
- Internal resolution – the employee discusses the grievance directly with a supervisor, manager, or human resources.
- Trade union assistance – a shop steward (an employee elected by co-workers to represent union members on site) negotiates with management.
- State bodies:
- Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) – investigates disputes, offers conciliation, and hears claims regarding pay, breaks, and unfair dismissal.
- Health and Safety Authority (HSA) – monitors and enforces workplace safety rules.
- Labour Court – investigates disputes and issues formal recommendations if agreement is not reached at the WRC.
If talks break down completely, employees may take industrial action, such as an official strike (stopping work after a union ballot and notice), a work to rule (doing only the exact contract duties), or an overtime ban.
Key terms
- Contract of Employment
- A written agreement between an employer and an employee setting out the terms and conditions of the job.
- Right
- An entitlement an individual is legally or morally due to receive.
- Responsibility
- A duty or obligation that an individual must carry out.
- Trade Union
- An organisation that represents workers to protect their rights, pay, and conditions through collective bargaining.
- Shop Steward
- An ordinary employee elected by their co-workers to represent union members in discussions with management.
- Workplace Relations Commission (WRC)
- The state agency responsible for employment rights conciliation, mediation, and adjudicating disputes over pay and dismissals.
- Health and Safety Authority (HSA)
- The national agency responsible for monitoring and enforcing health and safety standards in the workplace.
- Labour Court
- The tribunal that investigates industrial disputes and recommends solutions when earlier conciliation fails.
Check yourself
What is a contract of employment?
A written agreement between an employer and an employee outlining the terms, pay, and conditions of the job.
State one legal responsibility an employer has under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005.
To provide a safe workplace, protective equipment, staff training, and a written safety statement.
Name and describe one form of industrial action.
An official strike: workers stop work with trade union approval after a secret ballot and advance notice.
Which agency adjudicates disputes about unfair dismissal in Ireland?
The Workplace Relations Commission (WRC).
Give two benefits to an employee of joining a trade union.
Representation during disputes and stronger collective bargaining for better pay and conditions.