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The course aims to provide a sound academic grounding in key areas of individual employment law. It will examine the key topics of classifying the employer/employee relationship, formation of individual employment agreements, operation of individual employment agreements, including interrelationship with collective agreements, and principles relevant to termination, with particular reference to the personal grievance jurisdiction.
The information set out below is a guide to what the course is likely to include:• Introductory lectures briefly cover key concepts under the Employment Relations Act;• Issues arising in pre-employment;• The law relating to classification of an “employment agreement” as distinct from other contracts for the performance of work and, particularly, the principal/independent contractor relationship;• Formation of individual employment agreements (for example, the requirement to bargain in good faith, minimum statutory requirements as to content, and incorporation of terms);• Operation of individual employment agreements (for example, the role of good faith under s 4 of the Employment Relations Act and significant implied terms, such as the duty not to disclose confidential information);• Intro to Employment Law institutions – focussing on Employment Relations Authority and Employment Court;• Personal grievance claims (with a focus on unjustifiable dismissal and unjustifiable disadvantageous action);• Enforcement of the employment agreement through compliance orders, interpretation disputes, penalties, and damages.
A student who successfully completes this course will be able to: Identify and critically analyse the legal and practical implications of employment law issues. Demonstrate an understanding of policy issues relating to employment law. Recognise how employment law problems impact on society generally. Apply legislation and case law relevant to employment issues, particularly dismissals and unfair disadvantages.Note: The emphasis is on practicality: employment law is a regular aspect of the work undertaken by most law firms and there are also opportunities with unions, employers' organisations, government departments, local government, community organisations and human resources management.
This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attributes specified below:
Critically competent in a core academic discipline of their award
Students know and can critically evaluate and, where applicable, apply this knowledge to topics/issues within their majoring subject.
LAWS318
LAWS202-206
Annick Masselot
Kathryn Dalziel
Assessment may consist of an essay and an examination. The assessment will be confirmed in the first week of lectures.
There is no set text and the course will be taught primarily through reference to statutory provisions and case law, all of which are accessible through Westlaw NZ, LexisNexis, CCH and so on. Students wishing to read up on Employment Law before the course begins are recommended to familiarise themselves with the Employment Relations Act 2000 generally. However, individual lecturers may suggest additional recommended texts for further reading as necessary during term time.
Domestic fee $831.00
International fee $4,200.00
* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.
For further information see Faculty of Law .