business organisation has adapted its working arrangements to accommodate legislation relating to rights and responsibilities of employees and employers.

If the workplace of today could be characterized by a single theme, it would most likely focus on the continual presence of change. Dramatic changes in technology, the marketplace and the workforce have compelled organizations to re-evaluate not only the competitiveness of their products, but also the core ways in which work is performed. It is out of this pursuit for continued survival that organizations have been faced with the notion of varying work-schedules beyond the traditional hours of nine to five. This paper will explore the societal and business changes that have led to a proliferation in flexible work patterns. This paper will also address the benefits and disadvantages of flexible work patterns for

Identify sources and types of information and advice available in relation to employment responsibilities and rights.

Level 2 Award in Employment Responsibilities and Rights in Health, Social Care, Children and Young People's Settings (QCF)

1.4 Identify sources and types of information and advice available in relation to employment responsibilities and rights

Minimum wage has many advantages from a microeconomic and macroeconomic standpoint. A key advantage is the idea that minimum wage allows workers to earn enough money to live on. Thus, it ultimately leads to a reduction in poverty. Another key advantage is that minimum wage can actually create jobs and grow the economy. This would happen by having more money flow through the economy, because then household spending will increase (ProCon.Org). Minimum wage also allows workers to support their families. Without a minimum wage, many families will not make as much money, therefore, it will be very difficult for the workers to support their families. Minimum wage also ultimately reduces taxes, because instead of indiviuals being unemployed and on public assistance, the person is working. This relieves the load of taxes on the state by not having people on different public assistances, such as food stamps and welfare (ProCon.Org). Another pro of minimum wage is that it is another incentive for high school workers to get in the door early of unemployment and gain experience. This can help them in get a job in the future(Root). The issue of minimum wage has an abundance of pros.

Minimum wage is the lowest wage paid or permitted to be paid (1). Americans have been debating raising minimum wage for years. The people that want the raise in pay believe that it will help workers who are not as qualified and need a salary they can support themselves on. The people who do not want the raise realize the damaging effects it will have on this country. These jobs do not require a great amount of skill so having a low pay is understandable. Minimum wage jobs were not created for people to support themselves and a family with. Raising minimum wage would hurt Americans more than help them because in the end prices of goods will increase and people will lose their jobs.

The minimum amount required for an employer to pay their employees is called minimum wage. Chris Fitzsimon stated that “Minimum wage is a part of the Fair labor Standards Act which sets a limit on how much a person can make, whether it means only making that specific amount of income but no less than that.” Minimum wage has been a big problem in the political realm as well

The aim of this early conciliation is to encourage as many cases as possible to settle ‘compromising’ the claim through a settlement agreement (previously called a ‘compromise agreement’) an agreement achieved through Acas conciliation (a ‘COT3’). Appendix 3 is an early conciliation Flow Chart (ACAS)

Minimum Wage legislation is basically an effective policy, imposed by the government for the price control between worker and business. This policy takes care of both employee and employer while working. If we see from workers side, they wanted to increase the amount of minimum wage rate. However, businesses owners and especially owners of small businesses may not be able to increase the rate for their workers due to less capital and revenue of their company.

Minimum wage is the price floor for jobs. Many people are either for it or against it, however not denying the fact that it is very important to employees. Because, minimum wage creates a pathway for workers to sell their labour though getting paid less, businesses willingly hire them and workers gain experiences. Yes, in many ways it can benefit both the employers and the employees but there is always a down side to it. When it comes to revenue businesses can only spend so much and it does not benefit the employees in the long run due to cost push inflations and poverty. A study based on minimum wage jobs from 2001-2012 in UK and Romania indicates how minimum wage have an effect on these countries. Youths are also being affected by minimum wage jobs.

As a busy Woman/Mother, I personally support a flexible workplace environment. I have experienced what it is like to be an employee and not being granted flexibility when it comes to needing time off for family commitments or having the patience and respect shown to me from an employer, when it comes to training or seeking knowledge. Having that flexible attitude from my employer at that present time would have launched me into "can do" mode and I would have achieved much more in my position as an employee due to that simple adjustment from my employer. I am one woman and if I could have a change in my work ethic due to change in another's mannerisms and expectations then imagine what a whole team of employers/employees could achieve together.

Telecommuting allows flexibility of working hours to fit the needs of anyone who fits the profile of a commuter especially those with some form of disabilities (Crandall, 2005). Those with disabilities will be able to work in the comfort of their own environment. According to scholar research, "increased flexibility has obvious potential to allow employees to better manage their lives and reduce" (Goodman, 2013, p.18). Not to mention the success that comes from allowing someone the capability to work at home that may have kept one from being productive in an office atmosphere. Flexibility also allows immediate opportunities when a life situation surfaces, therefore, also creating a less stressful environment for the individual. Less stress for all those involved creating a happier lifestyle and

Also the change in time management increases the control on time and so decreases stress levels among employees.

To gain highly qualified staff to their company they are offering flexible working packages. Having the control in scheduling what hours to work themselves, they feel the company cares about their personal life. Which leads to the employee having job satisfaction andhigher work commitment (Kelliher & Anderson, 2010, p. 85). According to Kelliher & Anderson ( p. 87 ) they found prior findings, flexible work schedules results in employee commitment and engagement within the company, job satisfaction and flexible work packages help the company to gain, recruit and keep qualified staff in the

If organizations want to engage their employees and increase their satisfaction and productivity, they might be able to do this through alternative work arrangements. Alternative work arrangements allow workers more control over how, when, and where they work, by using flextime or telecommuting. Flextime allows people within an organization to vary the hours during which they work, as long as they work for a specified number of hours per week. Companies like FedEx that used flextime reported reduced overtime expenses, and reduced stress among workers. Telecommuting, or working from home, allows almost complete freedom over scheduling, dress code, and interruptions from supervisors. Studies have shown that telecommuting leads to less turnover among employees, but it can hinder productivity due to the fact that one is working alone.