Employment responsibilities

Employers must ensure that all employees have a contract of employment. This is in the interests of both employers and employees.

The contract of employment is a legal document that can be used to resolve disputes between the employer and employee. It outlines information on many things.

• Pay — this is important because it gives the employee the right to a guaranteed income and allows employers to manage their budget.
• Conditions such as employee's responsibilities. The employer can take action, such as dismissal, if an employee is in breach of their contract.
• Terms of employment (such as the start date and the length of the contract) are included. This helps to protect employees from being released from their job before the contracted period is completed.
• Entitlements such as sick leave, holiday pay, and compassionate, maternity or paternity leave. This helps the employee plan ahead.
• Hours of employment — this prevents employees from being asked to do overtime without payment.

Employers and employees both have rights and responsibilities in the workplace.

The balance between employers and employees is adjusted from time to time, but the following is an overview of the main responsibilities of both parties.

Employers have a responsibility to provide some basic conditions for their employees. These are:

Pay

Employers must ensure that their workers are paid in the form of a wage or a salary.

Wages are more common for hourly roles, while salaries are typical for permanent, professional positions

Employers must ensure their employees pay income tax, make National Insurance payments and, in certain circumstances, are a member of a pension scheme.

Career development

Employers are responsible for ensuring that their employees are fully trained in the use of all the equipment in the workplace.

Every employee must receive health and safety training, to make sure that accidents and injuries are kept to a minimum.

Other career development opportunities must be negotiated between the employer and employee.

Compassionate leave

Employees are entitled to unpaid compassionate leave, should an emergency arise with a dependent. Dependents include:

• children
• husbands and wives
• partners and fiancés/fiancées
• parents
• elderly relatives

This includes being able to attend a funeral. Some employers will pay staff who are absent on compassionate leave.

Holidays

Employers have a responsibility to give their employees annual leave for holidays. They must put this in the employment contract. These holidays are in addition to annual bank holidays in the UK and Ireland.

Health and safety

Employers have a responsibility to ensure the health and safety of everyone in their workplace including staff, customers, and members of the public.

They must provide health and safety training to each of their workers.

Health and safety signs must be clearly visible throughout the workplace.

Equality

Employers have a responsibility to ensure that their employees are treated fairly. They cannot discriminate against anyone based on their:

• gender
• race
• religion
• sexual orientation
• age
• disability

Employee responsibilities are the duties and expectations that employees must fulfil to contribute to the smooth and effective functioning of an organisation.

• Follow all company policies, procedures and guidelines, including those related to conduct, safety and use of resources.
• Employees should be familiar with and understand the policies and procedures that apply to their role.
• Treat colleagues and clients with respect and professionalism. Maintain a positive and cooperative attitude.
• Deliver high-quality work that meets or exceeds job requirements and organizational standards.
• Follow all health and safety protocols and report any hazards or unsafe conditions to management.
• Protect sensitive and confidential information related to the company, clients and colleagues.
• Follow company procedures for reporting absences and providing appropriate documentation if required.

What happens if employees don't meet their responsibilities?

Employees may face disciplinary action if they fail to meet their responsibilities. That said, employers must recognise that they may be affected by problems outside of work.

Employees may be offered counselling as part of the disciplinary process.

The steps of disciplinary action include:

Other actions may also be taken by employers dissatisfied by employees failing to meet their responsibilities.

• Employers can reduce an employee's pay if deadlines or targets are not being met.
• If there has been serious employee misconduct, employers can suspend employees without pay if this is included in their work contract.

What happens is employers don't meet their responsibilities?

Impact on Employees

Impact on the Organisation