SECTION B (60 marks) Please answer any TWO (2) questions in Section B. You are required to choose either Question 3 or Question 4 from this page. Question 3
Maria has worked as a sales manager at XYZ Company for five years. Recently, her new supervisor, Paul, started making unreasonable demands, such as asking Maria to work late hours without extra pay and assigning her duties outside her job description. When Maria raised her concerns, Paul dismissed them and began excluding her from key meetings, reducing her responsibilities without explanation. Feeling undervalued and targeted, Maria tried to discuss the matter with the Human Resources department, but no action was taken. After several months of this treatment, Maria felt she had no choice but to resign from the employment. a) Based on the scenario above, describe whether Maria can claim for constructive dismissal against the company. (10 marks) b) Discuss the legal concept of redundancy in the context of employment law. (10 marks) c) Describe the differences between contract of services and contract for services. (10 marks) TOTAL: 30 marks. _____________________________ Question 4 a) Alex and Jemie have been close friends for many years. With a shared passion for baking, they aspire to start a bakery business together. However, they are unsure about the most suitable business structure for their venture. Based on the scenario above, describe the differences between a partnership and a sole proprietorship to guide the parties choose the best business structure for their bakery. (20 marks) b) Discuss the concept of separate legal entity. (10 marks) TOTAL: 30 marks.

Question

SECTION B (60 marks) Please answer any TWO (2) questions in Section B. You are required to choose either Question 3 or Question 4  from this page. Question 3
Maria has worked as a sales manager at XYZ Company for five years. Recently, her new supervisor, Paul, started making unreasonable demands, such as asking Maria to work late hours without extra pay and assigning her duties outside her job description. When Maria raised her concerns, Paul dismissed them and began excluding her from key meetings, reducing her responsibilities without explanation. Feeling undervalued and targeted, Maria tried to discuss the matter with the Human Resources department, but no action was taken. After several months of this treatment, Maria felt she had no choice but to resign from the employment. a) Based on the scenario above, describe whether Maria can claim for constructive dismissal against the company. (10 marks) b) Discuss the legal concept of redundancy in the context of employment law. (10 marks) c) Describe the differences between contract of services and contract for services. (10 marks) TOTAL: 30 marks. _____________________________ Question 4  a) Alex and Jemie have been close friends for many years. With a shared passion for baking, they aspire to start a bakery business together. However, they are unsure about the most suitable business structure for their venture. Based on the scenario above, describe the differences between a partnership and a sole proprietorship to guide the parties choose the best business structure for their bakery. (20 marks) b) Discuss the concept of separate legal entity. (10 marks) TOTAL: 30 marks.

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Question 3a, 3b, 3c analysis:

3a) Constructive dismissal concept: To assess whether Maria can claim constructive dismissal, we look for a fundamental breach of her employment contract by the employer that makes continued employment intolerable. Key indicators include persistent unreasonable demands (late hours without pay, duties outside job description), reduction of responsibilities, exclusion from key meetings, and failure to remedy concerns through HR. The behavior must amount to a repudiation or serious breach of a basic term, not merely a disagreement or poor management. If Maria reasonably resigns after such a breach and has sought redress without remedy, a constructive dismissal claim is plausible. Important nuances to consider include: (i) Was the breach substantial and repudiatory, or could it be addressed by performance management or discipline? (ii) Were there timely, documented attempts to resolve the issues with HR, and did the employer fail to take appropriate action? (iii) Did the employer’s actions alter the fundamental terms and conditions of employment (duties, hours, compensation) without consent? If the breach is substantial and ongoing, resignation may be treated as dismissal by the employer’s conduct.

3b) Redundancy concept in employment law: Redundancy occurs when an employee’s job no longer exists or there is no longer a need for the particular role due to changes in the organization, technology, or economic conditions. It is not a result of the employee’s performance. Important elements include: (i) genuine organizational need or operational requirement, (ii) fair and objective selection criteria if multiple staff are affected, (iii) proper consultation, notice, and procedural fairness, and (iv) entitlement to statutory or employer-provided redundancy pay where applicable. The employer must show the termination stems from operational requirements, not discriminatory motives or avoidance of contractual obligations. Recognize that laws vary by jurisdiction, so specifics (notice periods, severance pay thresholds) depend on local rules.

3c) Contract of service vs contract for services: A contract of service refers to an employment relationship where an employee works under the employer’s supervision, adheres to the employer’s control, and receives employee benefits (e.g., paid leave, pension rights) and protections under employment law. The employer typically dictates work hours, methods, and duties. A contract for services, by contrast, is a contract with an independent contractor or consultant who provides specified services, operates autonomously, bears their own tax and social security obligations, and does not receive employment benefits. Distinguishing features include control, integration into the employer’s organization, mutuality of obligation, and benefit entitlement. Misclassifying workers can lead to legal and financial penalties for mislabeling employment status.

Question 4a, 4b analysis:

4a) Differences between partnership and sole proprietorship to guide choice for Alex and Jemie: Ownership and control: A sole proprietorship is owned and run by a single person with complete control; a partnership involves two or more owners sharing control and management as defined by a partnership agreement. Liability: In a sole proprietorship, the owner has unlimited personal liability for business debts and obligations; in a general partnership, all partners share unlimited liability, often jointly and severally. Taxation and profits: Sole proprietorship profits are taxed as personal income of the owner; partnerships pass profits through to partners who report them on their personal tax returns, avoiding double taxation (though partners pay personal tax on share of profits). Continuity and transferability: Sole proprietorships typically end with the owner’s death or decision to cease; partnerships can continue if amended or restructured but may dissolve upon withdrawal or death of a partner unless otherwise agreed. Capital and resources: Partnerships can pool resources, skills, and networks, offering potentially greater start-up capacity; sole proprietorships rely on one person’s resources and credit. Decision-making speed vs. risk-sharing: Sole proprietorships enable rapid decisions by the owner; partnerships distribute decision-making but may require consensus, potentially slowing progress. In guiding their choice, they should weigh control, liability risk, financing needs, and how they want to share risks and rewards.

4b) Concept of separate legal entity: A separate legal entity is an entity that has its own legal personality distinct from its owners. This status enables the entity to own assets, incur debts, sue and be sued under its own name, and continue regardless of changes in ownership. It provides limited liability to shareholders, meaning owners are typically liable only up to their investment in the entity. Important caveats: sole proprietorships and general partnerships generally do not enjoy separate legal entity status, so owners remain personally responsible for business obligations. This concept underpins corporations and many large business structures, enabling continuity, complex financing, and formal governance, but it also introduces compliance obligations (e.g., statutory filings, annual reports, corporate formalities).

Business Law (BM018-3-1-BLW-25-RESIT)

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