Introduction
Laws govern many aspects of the modern society, from businesses, the education sector, online activities, leisure, personal liberties, and work, amongst others. With respect to work, there are laws that affect all types of work and there are some that are specific to one profession or a group of professions. Legal systems are important because they elaborate the rights and responsibilities of different parties. In addition, legal systems are also important in ensuring harmony in the society by way of safeguarding these rights. In this case, legal systems function as a base for settling disputes that could arise from diverse sectors that are impacted on by the laws. Failure to comply with state laws, organizational laws/rules or the laws of the professional bodies could result in such penalties as fines, imprisonment, disqualification, licence revocation, loss of employment, and litigation, amongst others. It is therefore important for everyone to be acquainted with the laws and rules that govern the particular field of work that one is in. Furthermore, ignorance of the law is often regarded as no defence.
There are a number of current legislative requirements and codes of practice that are relevant to Information Technology.
Lecture in information technology
The subject that I would like to specialize in as a college lecturer is Information technology, particularly web technology and software development. There are a number of current legal requirements that apply and affect lectures in information technology. One such law is the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act of 1988. Just like the lecturers of other studies, lecturers within the information technology (IT) department readily use books, electronic books, web articles, podcasts and other copyrighted material in their teaching. I.T lecturers also use computer software such as web browsers, Coding tools, APIs (Application Program Interfaces), servers and operating systems, computer hardware and peripherals, According to UKCS (United Kingdom Copyright Services), In the case of literary, dramatic, musical or artistic works, the copyright holds for 70 years from the end of the calendar year in which the last remaining author of the work dies, or the work is made available to the public by authorized performance, broadcast, exhibition, et cetera (1). The Copyright (Computer Programs) Regulations of 1992 extended the rules covering literary works to include computer programs (1). All these are products that have already been copyrighted by their respective authors or manufacturers (UKCS).
The terms and conditions of employment at the workplace are also applicable in a similar fashion. Normally, these shall vary from one organization to the other. These rules relate to performance, wages, legal liability, and fringe benefits payable to the employees. In addition, they may also take into account rules on credentialing and employment processes, non disclosure or confidentiality rules, the various extents of legal liability relating to different issues, internal processes such as training courses, and seminars. In addition, the issue of the dressing code that an employee has to observe are also addressed here.
Often a breach of these rules and regulations is dealt with according to the specifications made in these laws or through decisions made by the organization’s authorities. According to the UK laws, contracts of employment often consist of implied terms. In this case, the terms could either be unspoken or assumed. However, there are also terms of employment that are quite explicit, meaning that they are in a written form. There are also provisions for the health and safety of employees at work act of 1974 that needs to be adhered to. The common laws demand that all employers are legally oblige to provide a working place. In addition, they are also expected to provide a safe system of work, provide adequate plant and equipment and recruit competent and safety conscious staff (2). The common laws also stipulate that employers are to cater for the safety and health of their employees. As an I.T lecturer I would be protected by these laws and I should demand these provisions to be readily available. As an agent of the institution I would be expected to ensure the safety of students in ways that are under my responsibility. These would include providing safe conditions for experiments and cautioning students where need be (Health and Safety Executive).
There are other laws and regulations that would affect an IT teacher. For example, one would be required to abide by the child protection guidelines that are stipulated by the state and the employing institution. As a member of the institution, a part of implementing these guidelines would fall to me. Data Protection Act of 1998 would also affects lecturers. This law governs the processing of data on identifiable living persons. In addition, the law protects personal data in the UK from unauthorized duplication, access and use. As a person who would be handling personal data, l would be required to ensure the rights of the person whose data is being handled and to abide by the eight data protection principles as stipulated by this Act. The rules and regulations, disciplinary policies and sanctions of my trade union and professional associations would also govern my activities.
Current anti disability discrimination laws would also applicable to education providers. These laws are contained in the Disability Discrimination Act of 1995, these laws outline that it is unlawful for anyone to discriminate against another on the basis of their disabilities in relation to employment, the provision of goods and services, education and transport (3). In this regard, it would be advisable for all educators to know the legal definition of discrimination which according to opsi.gov.uk, the official website of the Office of The Public Sector Information, can occur in over nine ways. Other general laws would also apply. These include laws on; the right to equal opportunity for all persons, freedom of expression, duty of care, and contracts (OPSI).
Conclusion
Laws are established in the society for various important reasons and they cover almost all aspects of life. It is crucial for everyone to be aware of the laws and regulations that govern his or her area of work. Various laws apply to I.T lectures and the individuals involved. These could be the general public, teachers, or employees. Some of the these laws and regulations are the child protection guidelines, copyright laws and regulations, health and safety regulations, human rights and liberties laws, the terms and conditions of employment, union laws and regulations. Laws define both one’s rights and one’s responsibilities/obligations. It is crucial for all teachers/educators to be aware of these laws, in order that they can be in a position to comply with them and to demand their rights.
Reference
Health and Safety Executive. Health and safety regulation… a short guide. Web.
The UK copyright service. Fact sheet P-01: UK Copyright Law: 2000 (Serial online). Web.
Office Of Public Sector Information. (1995). Discrimination in other areas. Web.