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Employment Protection Law - LAWS2032
Students - walkway

 
Faculty: Faculty of Law
 
 
School:  Faculty of Law
 
 
Course Outline: See below
 
 
Campus: Kensington Campus
 
 
Career: Undergraduate
 
 
Units of Credit: 8
 
 
EFTSL: 0.16667 (more info)
 
 
Indicative Contact Hours per Week: 4
 
 
Enrolment Requirements:
 
 
Prerequisite: LAWS1001, LAWS1011; or LAWS1610; Corequisite: LAWS2311 or LAWS1010.
 
 
Fee Band: 3 (more info)
 
 
Further Information: See Class Timetable
 
 

Description

Employment Protection Law considers the regulation of employment in Australia from the perspective of international labour standards. We begin with an examination of fundamental principles of international labour law, and proceed to examine the way those principles are dealt with in Australian domestic law. The course takes a broad thematic approach to labour law. First we consider collective rights to freedom of association and collective bargaining. Then we examine the promulgation of 'decent work' standards, by examining the regulation of wages, working hours and leave entitlements. We examine job security in the context of the economic pressures of globalisation on domestic business. Finally we consider workplace safety, and workers' rights to privacy.


Recommended Prior Knowledge

The course is best taken as a final year elective.

Course Objectives

By completing this course, each student should acquire the following specific competencies:
  • A general understanding of international labour standards and their translation into Australian domestic law in a number of specific areas
  • An ability to engage in informed critical debate on labour law policy
  • Improved skills in independent research

Main Topics

  • The International Labour Organisation and the promulgation of international labour standards
  • "Labour is not a commodity" - what does this mean?
  • Freedom of association; collective bargaining and industrial action
  • Worker participation in business enterprise
  • Decent work: pay and pay equity; working hours; family provisions
  • Job security: challenges from corporate restructuring; freedom from discrimination; unfair dismissal protection
  • Privacy and surveillance
  • Workplace safety

Assessment

Class participation - 20%

Research project:
Synopsis - 15%
Oral presentation - 15%
Written paper - 50%

Course Texts

Prescribed

  • Owens R and Riley J The Law of Work (OUP, Melbourne, 2007)
  • UNSW Reading Materials

Recommended
Refer to Course Outline provided by lecturer.

Resources

The course is supported by a WebCT site.

URL for this page:

© The University of New South Wales (CRICOS Provider No.: 00098G), 2004-2011. The information contained in this Handbook is indicative only. While every effort is made to keep this information up-to-date, the University reserves the right to discontinue or vary arrangements, programs and courses at any time without notice and at its discretion. While the University will try to avoid or minimise any inconvenience, changes may also be made to programs, courses and staff after enrolment. The University may also set limits on the number of students in a course.