Employment Contracts and Working Conditions
Expert-defined terms from the Advanced Certificate in Employment Law in the European Union course at London School of Business and Administration. Free to read, free to share, paired with a globally recognised certification pathway.
Employment Contracts and Working Conditions Glossary #
Employment Contracts and Working Conditions Glossary
A #
A
1 #
Agency Workers Directive
- Explanation: The Agency Workers Directive is a piece of legislation in… #
It ensures that agency workers receive equal treatment compared to permanent employees in terms of pay, working hours, and other benefits.
2 #
Annual Leave
- Explanation: Annual leave refers to the amount of paid time off that an… #
The number of days of annual leave varies by country and is often specified in the employment contract.
B #
B
3 #
Brexit
- Explanation: Brexit refers to the United Kingdom's decision to leave th… #
The implications of Brexit on employment law in the European Union, including employment contracts and working conditions, are still being determined.
C #
C
4 #
Collective Bargaining
- Explanation: Collective bargaining is the process in which employers an… #
Collective agreements reached through collective bargaining often form part of the employment contract.
5 #
Compensation
- Explanation: Compensation refers to the total amount of money and benef… #
This includes salary, bonuses, health insurance, and other perks.
6 #
Continuity of Employment
- Explanation: Continuity of employment refers to the uninterrupted perio… #
It is important in determining entitlements such as redundancy pay and other benefits.
D #
D
7 #
Disciplinary Procedures
- Explanation: Disciplinary procedures are the steps that an employer tak… #
These procedures are often outlined in the employment contract and may result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination.
8 #
Dismissal
- Explanation: Dismissal refers to the termination of an employee's emplo… #
It can be for reasons such as poor performance, misconduct, or redundancy.
E #
E
9 #
Employee Rights
- Explanation: Employee rights refer to the legal protections that employ… #
These rights are often outlined in employment contracts and include protections against discrimination, unfair dismissal, and more.
10 #
Employment Contract
- Explanation: An employment contract is a legally binding agreement betw… #
This includes details such as job duties, pay, working hours, and benefits.
11 #
European Union
- Explanation: The European Union is a political and economic union of 27… #
EU regulations and directives often impact employment contracts and working conditions in member states.
F #
F
12 #
Flexible Working
- Explanation: Flexible working refers to arrangements that allow employe… #
This can include working remotely, part-time hours, or flexible schedules.
G #
G
13 #
Gender Pay Gap
- Explanation: The gender pay gap refers to the disparity in pay between… #
Addressing the gender pay gap is an important aspect of promoting equality in employment contracts and working conditions.
H #
H
14 #
Health and Safety
- Explanation: Health and safety in the workplace refers to the measures… #
This includes providing a safe work environment, training on safety procedures, and addressing any hazards.
15 #
Holidays
- Explanation: Holidays refer to days off from work that are typically re… #
The number of holidays that employees are entitled to varies by country and is often outlined in employment contracts.
I #
I
16 #
Insolvency
- Explanation: Insolvency refers to the financial state of a company that… #
In cases of insolvency, employees may face challenges in receiving their wages and other entitlements as outlined in their employment contracts.
17 #
Internship
- Explanation: An internship is a temporary position that provides indivi… #
Interns may or may not be paid, depending on the terms of their internship agreement.
J #
J
18 #
Job Description
- Explanation: A job description is a document that outlines the duties,… #
Job descriptions are often included in employment contracts to clarify expectations for both employers and employees.
K #
K
19 #
Knowledge Transfer
- Explanation: Knowledge transfer refers to the process of sharing skills… #
This is important for ensuring continuity of operations and can be included in employment contracts as part of succession planning.
L #
L
20 #
Labour Law
- Explanation: Labour law is the area of law that governs the rights and… #
It covers issues such as employment contracts, working conditions, and dispute resolution.
21 #
Layoff
- Explanation: A layoff refers to the temporary suspension or termination… #
Employees who are laid off may have rights to severance pay as outlined in their employment contracts.
M #
M
22 #
Minimum Wage
- Explanation: The minimum wage is the lowest legal wage that employers c… #
Minimum wage laws vary by country and are often set by government regulations to ensure fair compensation for workers.
N #
N
23 #
Notice Period
- Explanation: The notice period is the amount of time that an employer o… #
Notice periods are typically outlined in employment contracts and may vary based on the length of employment.
24. Non #
Compete Clause
- Explanation: A non-compete clause is a provision in an employment contr… #
- Explanation: A non-compete clause is a provision in an employment contract that restricts an employee from working for a competitor or starting a competing business for a certain period of time after leaving their current employer.
O #
O
25 #
Overtime
- Explanation: Overtime refers to hours worked by an employee that exceed… #
Overtime pay rates are often outlined in employment contracts and may be subject to legal requirements.
26 #
Occupational Health
- Explanation: Occupational health refers to the well-being of employees… #
Employers are responsible for providing a safe work environment and addressing any health concerns that may arise.
P #
P
27 #
Parental Leave
- Explanation: Parental leave is time off from work that is granted to em… #
Parental leave policies vary by country and may be outlined in employment contracts.
28 #
Pension
- Explanation: A pension is a retirement savings plan that is provided by… #
Pension schemes are often included as part of the benefits package in employment contracts.
29 #
Probation Period
- Explanation: A probation period is a trial period at the beginning of e… #
The terms of the probation period are typically outlined in the employment contract.
Q #
Q
30 #
Qualifications
- Explanation: Qualifications refer to the skills, knowledge, and experie… #
Employers may require specific qualifications as a condition of employment, which are often outlined in the employment contract.
R #
R
31 #
Redundancy
- Explanation: Redundancy occurs when an employer no longer requires an e… #
Employees who are made redundant may be entitled to severance pay as outlined in their employment contracts.
32 #
Rest Breaks
- Explanation: Rest breaks refer to periods of time during the workday wh… #
The length and frequency of rest breaks are often specified in employment contracts or governed by labor laws.
S #
S
33 #
Sick Leave
- Explanation: Sick leave refers to time off from work that employees tak… #
Employers are often required to provide a certain number of sick days per year, which may be outlined in employment contracts.
34 #
Statutory Holiday
- Explanation: Statutory holidays are days that are recognized as public… #
Employers are often required to provide employees with time off on statutory holidays, as outlined in employment contracts or labor regulations.
T #
T
35 #
Termination
- Explanation: Termination refers to the ending of an employment contract… #
Termination may occur for reasons such as poor performance, misconduct, redundancy, or resignation.
36 #
Trade Union
- Explanation: A trade union is an organization that represents the inter… #
Trade unions play a key role in advocating for better working conditions and employment contracts on behalf of their members.
U #
U
37 #
Unfair Dismissal
- Explanation: Unfair dismissal refers to the termination of an employee'… #
Employees who believe they have been unfairly dismissed may have legal recourse to challenge the dismissal.
38 #
Unpaid Leave
- Explanation: Unpaid leave refers to time off from work that is taken by… #
Unpaid leave may be granted for reasons such as personal emergencies, family responsibilities, or other circumstances outlined in employment contracts.
V #
V
39 #
Vacation
- Explanation: Vacation refers to time off from work that employees take… #
Employers often provide employees with a certain number of vacation days per year, as outlined in employment contracts.
40 #
Working Conditions
- Explanation: Working conditions refer to the environment in which emplo… #
This includes factors such as safety, cleanliness, equipment, and other conditions that can impact employee well-being and productivity.
41. Work #
Life Balance
- Explanation: Work-life balance refers to the equilibrium between work r… #
Employers play a role in promoting work-life balance through policies, benefits, and working conditions outlined in employment contracts.
42 #
Working Hours
- Explanation: Working hours refer to the amount of time that employees a… #
Working hours are often outlined in employment contracts and may be subject to legal regulations regarding maximum hours and rest periods.
X #
X
Y #
Y
Z #
Z
43. Zero #
Hours Contract
- Explanation: A zero-hours contract is an employment agreement in which… #
Employees on zero-hours contracts are typically called in to work as needed, with their hours varying each week.