SUMMARY OF EMPLOYMENT LAW

Like consumer law, employment law is a very large topic in which the principles of tort and contract have been greatly added to by specific legislation. In the 19th century laws were passed to recognize Al also limit the rights of workers to strike, other legislation dealt with health and safety in the work place, and limits upon working hours and ages. Most richer countries now have legislation which guarantees a minimum wage for all workers, prevent employees from being dismissed without some reason, period of advance notice, or compensation, requires employers to give their employees a written statement of the main term of their employment contract. In the last twenty years, many countries have also passed laws to ensure that men and women are given equal opportunities to do the same work in the same conditions.
Employees have far more legal rights because they are thought to be in a weaker economic position than self- employed;employees are given at least a week's notice if employment is to be ended; and it gives employees the right to compensation if they are dismissed unfairly or made redundant; this same act also gives women the right to time off in order to have a baby and the right to return to work within a certain period after having the baby; men over 65 and women over 60 are not entitled to compensation for redundancy; companies employing fewer than 5 people do not have to re- employ a woman who leaves to have a baby.
The right to stike was one of the first employment rights to be recognized by law, yet the specific rules have varied from time to time and country.
To compare with japan- there are fewer employment laws in Japan than in many Western countries- few workers are given clear job descriptions or written contracts and it is unusual for an employee to take legal action against his employer.
Despite the current labor shortage, which has encouraged employers to ire women to do more responsible and better paid work than before, very few women enjoy equal employment opportunities.