Legal Considerations
For Change

Equal access for people with disabilities may be overlooked by some businesses but is very important and should always be thought of when making changes in the workplace. An example where this may be used is when renovating the office building, and ensuring that there is an elevator or a ramp for people with disabilities. Rather than only putting stairs, a ramp and/or an elevator allow the same access for individuals with disabilities!Another change a business may have to make is regarding its recruitment process. Businesses may remove the question "Do you have any disabilities", from their interview script and application. This ensures that everybody has a fair chance at getting the job and no discrimination is possible in the recruitment process.

Pay equity is often overlooked by employers, but is put in place for a reason. Individuals deserve to get paid a fair amount for the job that they do and that is why this is in place. A change a business may make is increasing the salary of the women in the business. Previous to this change, there was a pay gap between the men and women in the business. However, when considering pay equity, a change was needed in this business, hence why the salaries of the women are increasing.Another example may be that the same business is increasing the salaries of individuals of colour. Pay equity is set in place not only due to gender, but other factors like race, religion, sexual orientation, etc. This business must ensure everybody is getting paid fairly, hence again why the individuals of colour are receiving a raise.

An example of how labour laws may influence a change in the workplace is a business that is now cutting down the hours of overworked employees. Legally, employees are only supposed to work a certain amount of hours a day, and it is against the law for employers to force employees to work above this limit if they do not wish. Previously, this business overworked its employees by forcing them to work 12-hour days. Due to this legal consideration, the business has changed their workdays to 8 hours. This is a prime example of why labour laws are set in place, to protect workers.Another good example good is a restaurant that has to let go of some of its waitresses due to the age labour law. Previously, this restuarant had 14-year-olds being waitresses in their restaurant. However, they were serving alcohol to customers, which is against the law. Due to this, the restaurant had to make a change by hiring new waitresses, who are 19 and can legally serve alcohol and be a waitresses.

In order to maintain workplace safety standards, businesses may need to make changes within their business when considering these workplace safety standards. An example of this may be a workplace replacing the ventilation system in a factory. The old ventilation system was not up to code, and this new one ensures every employee is breathing safe and clean oxygen.Another example may be an automotive shop changing the type of fire blankets used in the shop. having a good fire blanket is important in case of a fire, and ensuring that they are in good shape is important when considering workplace safety standards.

Another example I thought of could be placed under labour laws, but I am unsure. A change in the workplace that can be done due to legal considerations could be firing an individual who does not have a license to be doing their job. An example could be a lawyer who was hired without a law degree, who had to be let go due to the fact they must have a degree to be a lawyer.