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MN50155: Understanding employment law

[Page last updated: 15 October 2020]

Follow this link for further information on academic years Academic Year: 2020/1
Further information on owning departmentsOwning Department/School: School of Management
Further information on credits Credits: 6      [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
Further information on notional study hours Notional Study Hours: 120
Further information on unit levels Level: Masters UG & PG (FHEQ level 7)
Further information on teaching periods Period:
Semester 2
Further information on unit assessment Assessment Summary: CW 100%
Further information on unit assessment Assessment Detail:
  • Coursework (CW 100%)
Further information on supplementary assessment Supplementary Assessment:
Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Further information on requisites Requisites:
Description: Aims:
The unit is designed to give students an overview of the legal framework of the employer/employee relationship and its impact on the parties directly involved in the workplace and some wider social implications.

Learning Outcomes:
Students will gain a clear understanding of the factors involved in the employment relationship and the different legal rules and principles which apply to this context. Students are taught the key areas relevant to management within the employment setting, for example, to know when and how to 'hire and fire'. They work with a case study which includes a business structure and from which they learn to interpret the legal materials in the context of a set of workplace problems. The interpretation culminates in the coursework mock tribunal which involves students drawing together the taught material in a practical application. Preparation for the mock tribunal is facilitated by discussions throughout the course and students will represent either the employer or employee's case.

Skills:
The course and the assessment methods utilise a case study approach which develops student's understanding not only of the legal methods to be used but also of the procedural context. Identify and handle legal materials confidently, apply the legal principles and advance their advocacy skills. They also understand the relevant external organisations which have a role in the field of employment.

Content:
The legal framework: the roles of the courts, employment tribunals and other bodies such as ACAS and trades unions, and the sources and influences on employment are set out. The relevance of changes introduced by EU law are drawn into this framework. Contracts of employment and consequent duties of employers and employees are considered in detail, including issues such as discrimination (racial, religious, sexual, disability and trade union rights) and health and safety at work. Rights on termination of employment, unfair and wrongful dismissal and the developing role of conciliation are covered.
Further information on programme availabilityProgramme availability:

MN50155 is Compulsory on the following programmes:

School of Management
  • TMMN-AFM06 : MSc Management with Human Resource Management

MN50155 is Optional on the following programmes:

School of Management

Notes:

  • This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2020/21 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2021/22 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2020/21.
  • Programmes and units are subject to change in accordance with normal University procedures.
  • Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.
  • Find out more about these and other important University terms and conditions here.