Why are there laws to protect workers at British Airways and who is responsible for making and administrating the laws

2. The trade union act, 1984- This act required trade unions to allow its members at a workplace to vote by secret ballot before the union could take industrial action such as strike action.
3. Employment act, 1990- Closed shops (workplaces where employees had to belong to a trade union) were made illegal under this law. Also, employers were allowed to sack employees who took strike action without first conducting a secret ballot.
4. Trade union reform and employment rights act, 1993- This act required unions to give an employee a week’s notice of industrial action. The idea was to provide a “cooling off” period, which was intended to make industrial action less likely.
5. Employment relations act, 1999- This act gave up to three months’ parental leave to both mothers and fathers, and increased the compensation paid to employees who had been unfairly treated. The act also required an employer to recognise a trade union that is supported by over 50 percent of the employees in a business. Being recognised gives the union the legal right to negotiate with the employer on pay and working conditions.
6. Working time regulations, 1998- This law was passed by the European Union. The regulations make it illegal for an employer to force employees to work more than an average of 48 hours a week. It also limits hours that can be worked during shifts.

The chief executive Rod Eddington is the one who is responsible for making and administrating the laws at British Airways. It is not entirely up to him as he gets help from the Director of Health and Director of Safety. The Director of Health and Safety has to also make sure that each department is running efficiently according to the Health and Safety standards.

British Airways have a Health and Safety manual for each worker. Every worker is trained in Health and Safety and understands that manual that is given to them. The workers know that if they breach the Health and Safety regulations, they breach criminal law. They must learn Health and Safety of customers as well.

Health and Safety laws prevent businesses from putting employees in danger and protecting the workforce. The laws try to stop accidents happening in the workplace.

The main act in the UK is the Health and Safety act of 1974. Under this law, employers are required to ensure that they safeguard all their employees’ Health, Safety and welfare at work. The act covers many business activities:

• Installing and maintaining Safety equipment, and supplying Safety clothing.
• Maintaining workplace temperatures
• Giving employees sufficient breaks during the working day.
• Providing protection against dangerous substances.
• Fitting guards on dangerous machinery.
• Writing and displaying a Safety policy.

The act also requires employees to follow all Health and Safety procedures and to take care of their own and others’ Safety. The Health and Safety executive oversees the operation of the act, carries out inspections of business premises and conducts investigations after any serious accident in the workplace.