Employment Law provides an introduction to the issues of employment law and regulation for those studying a variety of subjects including human resource management (HRM) and business management, as well as an easy explanation for students of law. Case exhibits in every chapter illustrate employment law in action, whilst activities test understanding of the law and its application in the real world. In addition, a dedicated, very practical chapter on preparing and presenting a case gives an opportunity to demonstrate understanding using a fictional scenario, through which a greater insight into the challenges faced before an employment tribunal can be gleamed. This fifth edition includes full coverage of the Taylor Report, the Gender Pay Gap Regulations, GDPR/Data Protection Act 2018, the Trade Union Act 2016 and the likely effect of Brexit. The text also encompasses a revision of core legal content including changes to tribunal fees and case law concerning employment status.
Chapter
22. Privacy and confidentiality
This chapter discusses the law on privacy and confidentiality in the workplace. It looks at the four statutes which relate directly to issues of workplace confidentiality: the GDPR/Data Protection Act 2018, the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 (which deals with whistleblowing), the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000, and the Telecommunications (Lawful Business Practice) (Interception of Communications) Regulations 2000. It also considers two other areas of law which are influences in this area: the law on job references and the law on restricting the activities of former employees. Also discussed is the impact of the Human Rights Act in this area.
Chapter
24. Intellectual Property and Data Protection
The final chapter in the book examines matters relating to the intellectual property created and/or owned by a business and their responsibilities for the data they access and/or produce. Given the value of the outputs from the intellectual creativity of persons (software programs, books, music recordings etc.), this chapter outlines the rights available to protect them and the consequences for infringement. It first identifies the law surrounding creative ideas and work (copyright) before a product’s appearance (design rights) is considered. The chapter continues by assessing the protection of a brand name and image (trademarks) and finishes the substantive issues through examination of inventive ideas and works (patents). Confusion of the public through the unlawful use of an existing business’ name or product can result in the tortious liability of ‘passing-off’. Intellectual property is produced by employees and the consequences of employment status for the rights to exploit the property must be effectively managed. The chapter concludes with an assessment of developments in data protection—the GDPR, Data Protection Act, and the tactics available to businesses to avoid transgression of the law.
