Marks & Spencer: Employee Relations, Rights, Duties, and Obligations

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of employee relations within Marks & Spencer (M&S), a UK-based multinational retailer. It begins with an introduction highlighting the importance of employee relations for organizational success, particularly in fostering a positive work environment and achieving business objectives. The report then delves into the value and importance of employee relations, emphasizing how positive relationships contribute to increased employee engagement, productivity, and customer satisfaction. It further examines the fundamentals of employment law applicable to M&S, including equality laws, minimum wage acts, and contractual terms. The report outlines the rights, duties, and obligations of both employers and employees, providing practical advice for managing the employment relationship effectively. A stakeholder analysis is conducted to assess the impact of employee relations on various parties, followed by an evaluation of the effects of positive and negative employee relations. The report concludes by summarizing the key findings and emphasizing the significance of robust employee relations for the overall success of M&S.

EMPLOYEE
RELATION

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTON.............................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
P1. Analyse the value and importance of employee relations in application to specific
organisational examples. ............................................................................................................1
P2. Evaluate the fundamentals of employment law that apply to specific organisational
example.......................................................................................................................................2
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................4
P3: Explain the different types of rights, duties and obligations an employer and employee has
within the workplace...................................................................................................................4
P4: Determine appropriate advice relating to rights, duties and obligations of the employment
relationship for a range of given organisational examples..........................................................6
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................7
P5 Conduct and complete a stakeholder analysis for a given organisation................................7
TASK 4..........................................................................................................................................10
P6 Analyse the impact of both positive and negative employee relations on different
stakeholders...............................................................................................................................10
CONCLUSION .............................................................................................................................10
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................11

INTRODUCTON
Employee relation is considered as one of the essential aspects connected with every
organisation. Companies which possess positive employee relation achieve their targets and
objectives in a desired manner. They faces less conflicts and sustain a firm position within
market. This present assignment is based on Marks & Spencer which is a Britain based
multinational retailer and specialises in home products, food items and clothes. Company is
headquartered in Westminster, London and founded by Michael Marks and Thomas Spencer in
1884. This report includes importance and value of employee relation along with fundamentals
of employment laws. It also involves duties, right and obligation of employees & employer.
Appropriate advice is given in relation to duties, obligations and right of employment
relationship (Chang and et. al., 2015). Also, stakeholder analysis is carried out along with impact
of employee relation on stakeholders.
TASK 1
P1. Analyse the value and importance of employee relations in application to specific
organisational examples.
Employee relation refers to the efforts of an organisation to manage the relation among
employers and employees. A firm which has a good employee relation program delivers a
consistent and fair treatment to workers. This assists them in committing to their work in a more
desired manner. It is the duty of HR manager in M&S to manage the relation among employees
and between employers & employees. Importance and value of employee relation in context of
M&S is mentioned beneath:
Value of employee relation
Positive employee relation helps in creating a balanced workplace for employers and
workers which results in enhanced employees engagement and achievement of desired outcomes.
M&S must adopt principles associated with equity, justice and fairness for entire workforce.
Robust relation among employees increases professionalism and humanity at workplace.
Satisfied employees will treat client as their priority which will helps M&S in increasing their
sales and revenues (Gul, Akbar and Jan, 2012). Isolated environment discourage employees and
spreads negativity around them. Healthy relation among employer and workers also benefits in
increasing the overall productivity of firm.
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Importance of employee relation
Every individual within an organisation shares a certain relation with other staff
members. To maintain expenses and increase profitability, it is vital for employees to understand,
discuss, coordinate and share their ideas & opinions with one another. These aspects can take
place only when employees posses good relation with each other and employers. To earn desired
targets and profits, it is vital for employees working in M&S to be comfortable around each
other. Below is mentioned the importance of posing a robust employee relation in application to
M&S:
 There are many issues within workplace on which a single employee can not take
decision. Guidance and advice of other employees is needed to conduct a business
operation or activity appropriately. Sharing of ideas and opinions results in target
achievement at faster rate. For example, if manager in M&S ask opinion of staff members
regarding training and development programs, pros and cons associated with decision can
be acknowledged even before formulating it. This will helps the company in adopting
only right decisions and tactics. If relation among employees and between employer &
worker is not good, no one will bother to share their opinion. This may results in loss of
revenues and market share for M&S (Harrison, 2012).
 Conducting business activities and operations are easy if work is shared among all staff
members. A healthy employee relation increase productivity level of employees. In case
of M&S, if project manager of company is working on a new project then dividing
responsibilities among different team members will helps in accomplishing task within
allotted deadline. If relation between manager and employees are not good, employees
will not be able to deliver their best performance. Good relation among manager and
workers will assist in performing business operation appropriately.
P2. Evaluate the fundamentals of employment law that apply to specific organisational example.
Employment laws are also called as labour laws. These laws mediates the relation among
workers, employers, government and trade unions. Collective employee laws relate to tripartite
relation between employer, worker and union. These laws are present at both state & federal
level and it is important for every organisation to follow these laws. Process associated with
employment laws initiates long before employees are recruited (Kalemci Tuzun and Arzu
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Kalemci, 2012). Fundamentals of employment laws assist in limiting the possibility of litigation,
avoid cost related mistake and generation of revenue & profits.
Basic employment laws in UK:
 Employment Equality Law: According to the employment right act of 1996, no
business owner and managers within an organisation can discriminate among employees
on the basis of gender, nationality, religion and race while recruiting, firing and paying
them. It is important for HR manager in M&S to treat all individuals fairly. If
management and managers will discriminate on above mentioned grounds, company may
face law suites and penalties which creates a negative image of company within market.
 Minimum wage Act: According to this act, a minimum wage is fixed across UK which
is 7.83 pounds per hour for employees aged over 25, 7.38 pounds per hour for employees
aged between 21 to 24 and 5.90 pounds per hour for individuals between 18 to 20 wage.
Management and manager in M&S needs to pay employees according to these specified
wages. If employers in M&S are not employing workers according prescribed wages,
organisation can face serious consequences such as law suits, penalties, fines.
Contract, terms and conditions of employment: All employees within M&S are entitled to
specific terms and conditions which should be offered within 2 months of commencing job. It
helps in protecting the business and sets out a transparent relation between employer and
employees. Contract associated with M&S include following aspects:
 General: Name of the employer, job location, job title and working hours.
 Salary: M&S pays salary on monthly basis. It is important for national insurance and tax
payments to be deducted under PAYE scheme. Salaries are given to employees on the
basis of minimum wages fixed by government authorities (Karami, Dolatabadi and
Rajaeepour, 2013).
Some other aspects of employment law in context of M&S:
 Sick Leaves: Legally employees are not entitled to receive salary when they are sick but
if worker is sick for more than 4 days then a statutory sick pay is allotted to them which
is 88.45 pounds per week. This amount is reviewed on annual basis. It is important for
accounts department in M&S to pay the specified amount to sick employed. This will
help in formulating strong coordination among employees and employer.
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 Notice period: Employer and workers are under obligation to give notice regarding
termination of workers. If employment contract is silent on notice period, there are some
legal requirements which M&S needs to follow:
1. Worker needs to give one week notice period irrespective of their service length.
2. Notice period of employers range from 1 to 12 weeks. It depends upon length of
service of worker.
 Maternity/ Paternity leaves: In UK maternity leave is up to 52 weeks, an employee will
receive statutory Maternity pay for 39 weeks. A pregnant employee in UK can take a
break of one year and can return to work for same role. In case of M&S, pregnant ladies
have right to take an off of one year, they will receive SMP for it. Company can't retain
them form joining on same position on which they were working before. Not accepting
them will be considered as infringement of law which results in penalties (Mowday,
Porter and Steers, 2013).
TASK 2
P3. Explain the different types of rights, duties and obligations an employer and employee has
within the workplace.
To maintain healthy work environment and strong relation among employer &
employees, it is important for management of a company to specify certain rights, obligation and
duties of workers and employers. This will helps in resolving misunderstandings among staff
members and manager which results in increasing working potential. In M&S, there are certain
duties, rights and obligations of workers & employers which must be followed strictly in order
to maintain employee relation.
Right of employees and employers in M&S:
Employer Employee
 Employer have a right to implement
work policy according to the
requirement of company. If employees
are not willing to obey employer, they
can be terminated or penalised.
 It is the right of employees in M&S to
refuse unsafe work. No employer or
other employee can force them to
perform dangerous work unless
concerned employees agree themselves.
 If employees are not working as per  If employees in M&S are facing any
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they are directed, employer have the
right to give them warning. In extreme
case, employer also have right to
terminate employees.
kind of discrimination or inferiority,
they can take legal assistance. No
employer can deny law suits filled by
them, unless they are false.
Duties of employer and employees in M&S:
Employer Employee
 It is the responsibility of employers in
M&S to provide equipment, tools and
other resources to workers according to
their job descriptions. If manager is
unable to perform their duty in desired
manner, it will disrupt the functioning
and work within company.
 Main duty of employees in M&S is to
perform their activities by efficient
means. In case, employees are not
performing well, they can be suspended
or terminated (Ouimet and Zarutskie,
2014).
 Employers must pay salary to workers
as mentioned in their contract. If they
were paid less, victimised employee
can charge them with legal law suites.
 Another duty of workers in M&S is to
Follow the instruction of their seniors,
superiors and managers appropriately.
 Providing safe and secure working
environment to employees is the duty
of employers in M&S.
 Employees working in M&S have a
duty to keep sensitive information
related to company confidential and
safe.
Obligations of employer and employees in M&S:
Employer Employee
 Providing work to employees as per
their contract of employment.
 To perform work in an appropriate
manner which is specified in
employment contract.
 Respecting dignity and pride of  Following all the instructions given by
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working staff. senior employees and manager
regarding business operations.
 To adopt required health and safety
measures while performing business
operations.
 To observe proclamations, work rules,
directives and collective agreements
issued in accordance with Law.
 When contract of employee is
terminated, providing them a certificate
which includes their job title and length
of service.
 To handle equipment, materials and
tools appropriately (Poole and Jenkins,
2013).
In case employees and employers are not performing their duties and obligations in
desired manner, this will disrupt the organisational culture which will results in less productivity
and work performing capacity.
P4. Determine appropriate advice relating to rights, duties and obligations of the employment
relationship for a range of given organisational examples.
Employment relationship is termed as a measure to improve the relations mainly between
workers and mangers. It is important for an organisation to satisfy the needs and requirements of
their workers. This will helps the firm in achieving desired outcomes in a timely manner. A
satisfied employee performs with more efficiency and productivity which helps in enhancing
revenue and profit margins. In M&S, every activity and operation is carried out in proper
manner, but sometimes, it has been seen that employees feel insecure and demotivated while
performing their work. Below are mentioned some advices which will benefits M&S in
managing employee relation in an appropriate manner:
 It is advised to managers of different divisions in M&S such as marketing, finance and
other department that they can implement policies and regulations which will assist in
resolving grievances and issues of workers in an appropriate manner. By this, employees
will feel satisfied and willingly listen to orders and guidelines provided by seniors.
 It is the obligation of employers in M&S to pay employees according to their
employment contract. But due to work load, sometimes employees have to work over
time (Shuck and Rocco, 2014). To manage appropriate relation with workers, it is
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advised that employers in M&S can pay them money according to their extra working
hours. This will helps in sustaining a positive work environment within company
premises.
 It is advised to the workers in M&S that they should perform their work with sincerity
and dedication. This will benefits the firm in accomplishing tasks within specified time
and satisfaction level of employers will also increase. Satisfied employers will be able to
considered the welfare of employees in a more desired way. This will improve
employment relation within M&S.
TASK 3
P5. Conduct and complete a stakeholder analysis for a given organisation.
Stakeholder is an entity such as social group, customer or employees which has a stake
within business. They can be external and internal to the business. A stake is defined as an
interest in business or associated activities. It includes ownership, property interests, obligations,
legal interests and moral rights. In case of M&S, Stakeholders can either affects the business or
be affected by the business but in some cases both situation takes place simultaneously.
Stakeholder analysis: It is a process of systematically collecting and identifying qualitative
information to analyse whose interest should be given priority while developing and
incorporating a policy. In stakeholders analysis, characteristics of stakeholders are analysed and
decisions are taken in accordance with that. Characteristics like interests related to policy,
alliance with different stakeholders, knowledge and interest of the policy, position against
policy, measures that can impact policy process are analysed in desired manner.
Basically there are 3 steps to conduct stakeholder analysis. In first step potential
stakeholders are identified. After that priority is given to their influence, interest and power.
This acknowledge a firm in determining whose interest is more beneficial for company. At last, a
good coordination and understanding with identified stake holders are developed (Slack, Corlett
and Morris, 2015). This helps in understanding their behaviour regarding company and assist in
gaining their support. To Conduct a stakeholder analysis, M&S can opt following mentioned
steps respectively:
Identification of stakeholders: Most important process before forming and
implementing a program is to acknowledge who are the potential stakeholders that can benefit
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the company. This can be identified by acknowledging all the people which can impact the
business or impacted by the business. All individuals which posses some interest within business
are considered as stakeholders. In context of M&S suppliers, government, interest groups,
customers, employees, family, future recruits, senior executives and other individuals are
potential stakeholders. All these mentioned individuals possess some kind of interest in working
of M&S.
Prioritizing stakeholders: As we know there are different stakeholders that affects the
working within an organisation. It is not necessary that all stakeholders are equally powerful,
some of them have interest in business while others don't have. To identify which stakeholders
are most likely to get impacted and can impact M&S, managers of company needs to prioritise
them on certain grounds. Position of these stakeholders on the grid specifies the action that a
company can take while analysing which stakeholders are powerful and needs priority.
 Highly powered, highly interested people: These stakeholders are powerful and
considered as a priority while implementing a program and policy. Managers in M&S
needs to analyse them closely and try to acknowledge their opinions & preferences to
gain a positive response form their side. For M&S, Customers and investors are
highly interested and high powered people as engaging with these stakeholders
benefits the company in maintain revenues and profitability in a desired manner.
 Highly powered, less interested people: These people posses high power but they
are less interested within business. Duty of managers in M&S is to satisfy them to a
certain extent only. Giving them more priority is not much beneficial for the
company. Government and business analysts are that kind of stakeholders for M&S.
 Low power, highly interested people: These stakeholder posses low power but they
are highly interested in affairs of the company. Managers in M&S needs to inform
them form time to time about policies and plans of company to ensure that no big
problem can arise in future. These stakeholders are helpful while carrying out a
project. Employees working in M&S came under this category (Snodgrass, 2012).
 Low power, less interested people: These people posses less power and they are not
interested in business affairs of M&S, but manager needs to monitor them to avoid
business related problems. Community and interest groups came under this category.
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(Source: Stakeholder analysis, 2018)
Understanding the expectation of stakeholders: Last step is to discover the behaviour
of stakeholder regarding the program and policy M&S is going to implement. Communicating
and engaging them with company helps in understanding the behaviour of stakeholders. Manager
and senior executives of M&S needs to identify the emotional and financial interest of these
stakeholders within company and their motivation factor. This will assist M&S in conducting a
proper analysis regarding Stakeholders.
Advantage of stakeholder analysis: It helps managers and policy makers to
communicate and interact with stakeholders in more desired manner. This will results in gaining
more support for initiated policy and program. By taking advantage of this analysis, policy
makers can prevent potential threats and misunderstandings before implementing a program.
There are more chances of success if a program is designed after conducting a stakeholder
analysis. Due to this, coordination between employees and employers will improve and efficient
employment relation can be achieved (Steger and et. al., 2013).
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Illustration 1: Stakeholder analysis, 2018

TASK 4
P6. Analyse the impact of both positive and negative employee relations on different
stakeholders.
Employee relation posses a considerable impact on the working of an organisation. They
can either be positive or negative depending upon the efforts put by employees and employers
while interacting & coordinating with one another.
Impact of positive employee relation on different stakeholders: For M&S potential
stakeholders are customers, employees, senior executives, government, key advisors, investors,
suppliers and other individuals. Positive employee relation benefits in conducting business
operations efficiently. This will gain the attention of more customers which assists in high
revenue and profit generation. Also, it results in satisfying employees, senior executive and
investors due to this business operations are carried out in expected manner.
Impact of negative employee relation on different stakeholders: Negative employee
relation means employees are not satisfied with each other and with employer. This can results in
lot of problems like less productivity and reduced working potential. Due to this production and
delivery of commodities will get impacted and engagement of customers will decrease. Investors
and suppliers will feel reluctant while interacting with M&S, due to which shortage of funds and
resources can be faced and overall productivity of company will reduced along with market
shares and revenues.
CONCLUSION
From above mentioned report, it have been analysed that a positive employee relation
helps a company in sustaining a firm position within market place. There are some duties, rights
and obligation of employees and employer, if they are carried out properly, employment relation
improves which results in overall increased productivity. Satisfying stakeholder is important to
gain their support and earn high profits & revenues. Positive employee relation results in
resolving issues and misunderstandings within an organisation.
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