The key answer of exercise 6

Conversation 1 - b The employee did something illegal.

• He stole some biscuits – was taken to court and fined.

Conversation 2 - d The union are accusing the employer of breaking an agreement.

• The employers want employment laws changed to delay retirement. The firefighter’s union has concerns about the ability of staff to fulfil all their duties beyond 55 and claims the government has gone back on promises to guarantee the pensions of firefighters who fail a compulsory medical.

Conversation 3 - a The employer did something illegal.

• The tribunal concluded that sacking him was a step too far as his previous leave had been legitimate and managers had failed to inform Mr Portman that he could have applied for compassionate leave.

Conversation 4 - f The union want employment laws changed.

• The ECA is a pilots’ union. The ECA is concerned about the implications of casualisation on training and safety and is calling for new rules to crack down on the practice.

Conversation 5 - c The employer proved to be right in a dispute.

• A woman has failed in her case of constructive dismissal because the company which employed her refused to pay her wages in full when she went on maternity leave. The employer was relieved at the verdict, saying he’d fulfilled the statutory requirements.