Employment Legislation

An obligation is an act or course of action which a person or persons are morally or legally bound to, a duty of commitment. 

Ethics are moral principles that define how a person or group act  for instance; Trust, liability, truth, privacy. 

Equal Opportunities

Media Company who have implemented equal opportunities

Under the Equality Act 2010: 

The term “equal opportunities” upholds the idea that all workers within an organisation should be entitled to and have access to all of the organisations facilities at every stage of employment, including the pre-employment 
phase.
All employers must follow certain procedures in the workplace to ensure that all workers are treated appropriately and fairly and that, all things being equal, no candidate is treated unfairly because of their age, gender, race, sexuality or any other protected characteristic.
Establishing equal opportunities in the workplace may include:

Ensuring that all similarly qualified employees have equal access and opportunity to all training and advancement facilities regardless of sex, gender, age or disability. No employee should be overlooked for training or promotion because of any characteristic. Making reasonable adjustments in the workplace to accommodate physically challenged employees. Ensuring that no employee is paid any more or less than any of their colleagues who are equally qualified, equally experienced and performing the same role. Advertising new roles externally as well as internally so that anyone who meets the qualifying criteria gets the opportunity to apply. Making sure that no employee is dismissed solely because of a personal characteristic. Ensuring that the same rules apply to employees from all religions regarding extra time off during religious holidays.

Every employer should have their own equal opportunities policy in place, which is customised to their organisation. This policy must detail the steps the organisation will take to comply with the equality legislation and promote equality in the workplace. Having a formal policy makes it easier for all employees to know what is acceptable and expected of them as individuals and as part of the organisation.

Belonging to a trade union

An organised association of workers in a trade, group of trades, or profession, formed to protect and further their rights and interests. The trade union for the media industry is BECTU 

Trade Union 

(Broadcasting, Entertainment, Cinematograph and Theatre Union), who work to represent all its employees (which are a total of 25,000), in their rights, wage rate and working conditions. They act and operate as their own independent body and are also connected to the GFTU ( General Federation of Trade Unions). Some of the services they provide include:
- Personal advice and representation for individual members
- Negotiating pay, conditions and contacts with employers