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Unit details

  • Specialist unit
  • Level 5
  • 7 credits

As a result, human resources (HR) professionals are now obliged to take account of legal requirements in different jurisdictions when carrying out many central aspects of their role.

They are also obliged to take responsibility for the defence and settlement of claims lodged with employment tribunals by aggrieved employees or former employees. The purpose of this unit is to introduce the major areas of employment legislation and the employment law system, focusing in particular on ways in which day-to-day HR activities are subjected to some form of regulation.

The unit is intended to provide an overview, rather than to focus in detail on the operation of specific employment laws, for those who need to understand and be able to evaluate emerging developments in the management of the employment relationship in local and international jurisdictions.

This unit is suitable for persons who:

  • seek to develop a career in HR management and development

  • are working in the field of HR management and development and need to extend their knowledge and skills

  • have responsibility for implementing HR policies and strategies

  • need to understand the role of HR in the wider organisational and environmental context.

Learning outcomes
On completion of this unit, learners will:

  1. Understand the purpose of employment regulation and the way it is enforced in practice.

  2. Know how to manage recruitment and selection activities lawfully.

  3. Know how to manage change and reorganisation lawfully.

  4. Know how to manage issues relating to pay and working time lawfully.

  5. Be able to ensure that staff are treated lawfully when they are at work.

  6. Know how to manage performance and disciplinary matters lawfully.


Learning outcomes

The learner will:

1. Understand the purpose of employment regulation and the way it is enforced in practice.

2. Know how to manage recruitment and selection activities lawfully.

3. Know how to manage change and reorganisation lawfully.

4. Know how to manage issues relating to pay and working time lawfully.

5. Be able to ensure that staff are treated lawfully when they are at work.

6. Know how to manage performance and disciplinary matters lawfully.

Assessment criteria

The learner can:

1.1 Explain the aims and objectives of employment regulation.

1.2 Describe the role played by the tribunal and courts system in enforcing employment law.

1.3 Explain how cases are settled before and during formal legal procedures.

2.1 Identify the main principles of discrimination law in recruitment and selection and in employment.

2.2 Explain how contracts of employment are established.

3.1 Describe when and how contracts can be changed lawfully.

3.2 Explain the main requirements of redundancy law.

3.3 Explain the main requirements of the law on business transfers.


4.1 Identify the major statutory rights workers have in the fields of pay, leave and working time.

4.2 Explain the major requirements of equal pay law.

4.3 Explain major maternity, paternity and other family-friendly employment rights.

5.1 Identify the major requirements of health and safety law.

5.2 Explain the significance of implied duties as regards the management of employees at work.

5.3 Explain the principles of the law on freedom of association.


6.1 Explain the main requirements of unfair dismissal law in respect of capability and misconduct issues.

6.2 Explain the scope of the right for employees to be accompanied at serious discipline and grievance hearings.

Course no longer available

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