Task Details

You have had a busy day in the office. During the day five different managers have come to you for advice. For each question you are required to give advice, but this must be based on an appropriate analysis of the law.

1. From the Operations Manager

I am concerned about our ability to meet the Christmas orders. I have decided, therefore, to recruit an additional 15 employees to work as drivers. They will be required to do deliveries around the country, and they will work for 2 months. They will be required to provide their own van, and they will have a choice of shifts. They will have to work for at least 10 hours a week, and can work for up to 40 hours a week. They will have to do the work personally. Are they going to be employees, and what sort of contract would be appropriate?

2. From the Sales Manager

Mari is due to end her maternity leave in four weeks time. Before she had her baby she worked five days a week in the office, she now wants to work three days a week from home. I am concerned that the work will not get done effectively if she only works for three days a week. I am also concerned that she might be planning to look after her baby at home whilst working. Can I refuse her request? Can I ask her what plans she has made for childcare?

3. From the Manufacturing Manager

Emile had a seizure three months ago whilst he was at work. He has not worked since, and has been undergoing a range of medical tests. We need someone to do his work, and we are concerned that he will not be able to return as his work involves using power tools.

Can we start the process of terminating his employment?

4. From the Finance Manager

Angus has always been a good worker, but over the past six months he has made a number of errors at work. Last week he made an error that cost us a lot of money to put right, and we had some very unhappy customers. Can we dismiss him? His partner, Chloe, also works for us, and when she heard that we had some unhappy customers due to Anguss mistake she phoned one of them. She says that she meant to apologise on Anguss behalf, but the customer made her so angry that she was quite rude. Can we dismiss her?

5. From the General Manager

During the Covid pandemic, most of our employees worked from home. Gradually they have been returning to work, but many of our employees are starting to take time off claiming that they are stressed and exhausted because they worked long hours during the pandemic. There is no reason that our employees should have been working longer hours, and we were not aware that anyone was struggling. What are our responsibilities if the employees are stressed?

kindly use appropriate law