ABSTRACT
In this chapter we deal with the implications for managing people of the legal system and the institutions that complement it. Over the last 50 years employment law has become one of the most complex and regularly modified parts of the legal system, and also one of the most politically contentious, because law is an important source of power in the employment relationship. Managers not infrequently have to face situations which could have legal consequences; most of course do not result in any drastic development, which is just as well if work is to have continuity and stability, but managers need to be aware of what might be involved in a given situation. It cannot be overstated that the best way of avoiding any problem is for managers themselves to be aware of the principles of the law, if not the details. At the organisational level there are likely to be rules that will have legal consequences and managers need to be aware of the implications of these.
