Labor and Employment Law

Catalog description

This course provides an introduction to the law applicable to employment. It is divided into two parts, labor law and employment law. The first part, labor law, will cover collective employment relations, primarily between unions and employers. The formation and organization of labor unions, their recognition by employers, and the rules governing collective bargaining and interpreting collective bargaining agreements will be addressed. Key policy issues, such as the effectiveness of labor laws, possible reforms and the future of union will also be considered. The second part of the course, employment law, deals with individual employment relations between employees and their employers. The initial focus will be on the common law ¿employment at will¿ doctrine, which provides employers wide latitude to discharge employees. Next, statutory non-discrimination law, prohibiting employers from discriminating against employees on the basis of race, sex, disability, age, genetic characteristics and other protected categories will be examined. This part of the course will conclude with a consideration of topical issues such as gig work, employment arbitration agreements, and the impact of artificial intelligence on employment law.