Employment Law

This course is a part of:

Certificate in Paralegal Studies

Associate of Paralegal Studies

Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies

Bachelor of Business Administration

Bachelor of Science in Psychology

This course deals with the rules regarding employment law and employment discrimination. The course examines the relevant agency principles that apply to the employer-employee relationship and looks at the relationship itself, from the interviewing process through termination. The course then looks at the responsibilities owed by the employer and employee to each other. The course also focused on the important (for many reasons) distinction between an employee and an independent contractor. The court also focuses on the rules governing employment discrimination, including discrimination based on race, gender, health, etc. We will also look at the "at will" employment doctrine, when it applies and its exceptions.

Course Learning Outcomes

• Identify when an employment relationship exists for a variety of legal purposes.

• Determine the types of questions that should and should not be asked of employees during the interview process.

• Identify compensation policies and issues that may cause a client company legal trouble in the future if not adjusted.

• Identify and apply certain key rules set forth under the Fair Labor Standards Act.

• Determine which employee benefits must, should and can be granted to employees.

• Describe the various types of personal income tax deductions that exist for individuals.

• Suggest proper business procedures and standards for evaluating employees’ job performance, especially as they may lead to termination of an employee.

• Determine whether a proposed discharge may be challenged as unlawful and determine to what extent “constructive discharge” can be used by an employee in a complaint against an employer”.

• Determine and apply key anti-discrimination rules as they related to employment, including discrimination on the basis of race, national origin, gender, religion, age and disability.

• Apply the most important rules of the Family Medical Leave Act.

• Effectively balance the employees’ right to privacy against the employer’s right to maintain a safe and effective work environment.

• Apply certain key immigration concerns in hiring and maintaining a work force.

• Properly determine the types of safety issues that could cause employer’s legal problems under federal laws including OSHA.