Unit 1 Principles of Personal Responsibilities and Working in a Business Environment

1.1 – Identify the main points of contracts of employment
Pay – This is how much you will be paid monthly or weekly.
Working Hours – This is how many hours a week you will be working.
Holidays – this tells you when your holidays are.
Sickness
Notice Period employment conditions rights responsibilities duties These are called the ‘terms’ of the contract.
Employees and employers must stick to a contract until it ends (e.g. by an employer or employee giving notice or an employee being dismissed) or until the terms are changed (usually by agreement between the employee and employer)

1.2 – Identify the main points of legislation affecting employers and employees.
Equal opportunities
Sex discrimination Act 1975/86
Race Relations Act 1976
Unlawful to discriminate against current or prospective employees who have a disability or who have had a disability in the past, employer has duty to make reasonable adjustments.

Equal pay act – Work of ‘equal pay’ must be paid at the same rate for men and women

Employment equality (Age) Regulations 2006 – Default retirement age at 65 with statutory right for individuals to request postponement of retirement beyond age 65.

Working time Regulations 2007 – Entitles to paid annual leave.

Rights to time off – Annual leave, paternity/maternity leave, absences, sickness and statutory sickness pay.

Employment Act 2002 – To help parents balance work and family commitments.

1.3 – Identify where to find information on employment rights and responsibilities both internally and externally.

Where to find information on employment rights and responsibilities includes:

Information from internal sources such as line manager, Human Resource department

Information from external sources such as websites (e.g. directgov.co.uk, hse.gov.uk) or representative bodies for example ACAS, Citizens Advice Bureau.

1.4 – Describe how representative bodies can support the employee.

Negotiate terms of employment; to protect interest of employees; to provide legal assistance and advice to employees and to combat bullying.

1.5 – Identify employer and employee responsibilities for equality and diversity in a business environment

Employer responsibilities may include:
Abiding by the relevant areas of legislation appropriate to the workplace including:

a. Disability Discrimination
a. Employment Equality
b. Equality
c. Sex Discrimination
d. Equal Pay

Providing employees access to the relevant information
Investigating any issues that arise in relation to equality and diversity

employee responsibilities may include:
Following company policies relating to equality and diversity
Treating colleagues with respect
Reporting issues

1.6 – Explain the benefits of making sure equality and diversity procedures are followed in a business environment.

The benefits of making sure equality and diversity procedures are followed in a business environment may include:

Creates an environment where employees feel valued and supported
Employers can draw upon the skills and experience of a wide range of people. Benefits to employees – Improved staff morale and staff know they are being treated fairly.

Benefits to organisation – Range of perspectives, values and skills and valuable in team decisions.

2.1 - Identify employer and employee responsibilities for health, safety and security in a business environment Employer responsibilities include upholding the relevant regulations and legislation.

Employee responsibilities would include:
Following organisational policies and procedures for health, safety and security
Take responsibility for promoting one’s own health and care and that of colleagues
Assessing and managing risks

2.2 - Explain the purpose of following health, safety and security procedures in a business environment.

For example to ensure the safety and welfare of the individual and others is maintained at all times.

To take care of own health and safety and of others who may be affected by own actions, to cooperate with others on health and safety.

Not to misuse or interfere with anything provided for yourself or anyone else for your own safety and others around.

2.3 – Identify ways of maintaining a safe and secure environment in a business environment

For example this may include:

Following manufacturers’ instructions and organisational policies
Complying with training procedures and protocols and company regulations
Wearing suitable clothing
Maintaining a tidy work area
Following basic hygiene procedures
Keeping passwords secure

3.1 – Describe different methods of communication

Methods of communication include verbal for example:
Telephone
Face to face
Participating in meetings

Written/electronic communication
Letters
Reports
Text messaging
Email
Memos

Ask questions if you’re not sure, this helps avoid making mistakes that could be expensive to put right or that could have a negative impact on reputation of the organisation.

3.2 – Explain how to choose the most appropriate method of communicating with others.

How to choose the most appropriate method of communicating with others includes considering things such as:
Recipient preferences
Message content
Type of message
Speed of communication required

3.3 – Describe ways of actively listening

Examples of demonstrating someone is actively listening include things such as asking relevant questions, repeating what the person has said.

Use body language such as:
Gestures
Eye Contact
Leaning Forward
Using Facial Expression

4.1 – Explain the purpose of agreeing standards for own work with others.

For example when working with team leader, supervisor or line manager it is important to ensure the work is completed to company standards.

Also
Sharing work goals and plans.
Clarifying instructions and work requirements
Seeking support when required
Asking appropriate questions to secure information
Understanding and following instructions

Understanding limits of own responsibility when updating database files.

4.3 – Explain the purpose of treating others with honesty and consideration.

If you treat people with honesty and consideration then you will be treated the same way in return.

● If you are not honest with people and you lie about things then you will get into a better problem for lying about something that could have been fixed easily in the first place.

5.1 – Explain the purpose of meeting work standards and deadlines when completing tasks.

● If you are efficient and a good employee you will secure yourself a job or you could even get a pay rise.

● If you meet the work standards and deadlines the organisation can keep running effectively and can progress further.

5.2 – Identify ways of planning own work.

● Writing yourself a To-Do list in order of priority.

● Plan how you are going to do each piece of work, for example, if you are going to type a letter you may be able to find a prototype letter that has already been typed.

5.3 – Compare ways of keeping other people informed about progress.

● You can tell people about your progress by talking to your colleague occasionally as you are doing something, that way if your colleague notices that you are doing anything wrong they can tell you straight away so that you don’t continue to do it wrong and waste any time.

● If you are in a different location your other colleague/mentor you could message them every so often to check that what you are doing is okay and that you aren’t making any mistakes.

6.1 – Explain the purpose of continuously improving own performance in a business environment.

● If you keep on improving the way that you do something that you will be the best that you can ever be at that time, also if there is new ways to do something then you will be up to date on how to do things.

6.2 - Describe ways of improving own performance in a business environment.

● Being as organised as you could possibly be – internally have a up to date prioritised to do list each day, and externally making sure that you will be at work on time each day.

● Be as up to date with systems as you can possible be, for example going to training days.

● Ask people for some constructive criticism so that you can improve on the way you are working.

6.3 – Identify different types of career pathways that are available.

● Having transferrable skills such as organisation skills means that you look good to any employer, for example you will need organisation in an office job, but you would also need organisation skills to be a police woman.

● If you have the skills to be able to adapt to change and to improve you could eventually progress up the ladder to management.

● You could also have a transferrable skills of having the ability to use software for example being able to use System One confidently is something that you would need in any job within the NHS.

7.1 – Identify the types of problems that may occur in a business environment.

● Running out of stationary e.g. pens, paper
.
● Safety Hazards, e.g. computer wire in a place where someone could trip up.

7.2 – Explain ways of dealing with problems that may occur within a business environment.

● You could prevent running out of stationary by ordering new stationary whenever stock is low, however if for some reason it hasn’t been ordered someone could go to a local shop in an emergency.

● Hazards such as wires on the floor can be prevented by everybody knowing the safety procedures, risk assessments should be done regularly, and everybody should know who to report to if they see anything unsafe.

7.3 – Recognise how and when to refer problems to relevant colleagues.

● You should refer problems to relevant colleagues when it is something that needs to be reported whether the problem was fixed or not, and you should definitely refer to a relevant colleague if it is something that is out of your depth to deal with.