This module is concerned with contemporary labour law. It combines legal analysis and the transmission of practical legal skills with a highly contextual and interdisciplinary understanding of the labour law and regulatory debates around labour regulation. To that end, workshops will feature extended discussion on key aspects of contemporary labour legislation using scholarly texts. Students will also study key legal aspects of the modern employment relationship including the contract of employment, statutory employment protection provisions (for example unfair dismissal and redundancy protection), anti-discrimination legislation and provisions for reconciling work and family life (e.g. pregnancy protection and parental leave). The module will also explore selected aspects of collective labour law including the role and status of trade unions, the legal regulation of collective bargaining and/or the regulation of industrial conflict. The module seeks to combine a detailed knowledge of fundamental key aspects of labour law with the development of broader conceptual, critical and evaluative perspectives on workplace regulation. workplace regulation.
Total study hours: 150
Contact hours: 20
Private study hours: 130
Optional module for LLB Law, also available to all students on single and joint honours undergraduate law courses
Main assessment methods
The module will be assessed by 100% coursework as follows:
Coursework - short essay (1250 words) -20%
Coursework - Essay (4000 words) - 80%)
Reassessment methods
Like-for-like
Barmes, Lizzie. 2015. Bullying and Behavioural Conflict at Work: The Duality of Individual Rights (Oxford University Press). ISBN: 9780199691371
Biggs, Joanna. 2015. All Day Long: A Portrait of Britain at Work (Serpent's Tail) ISBN-10: 1781251878
Adams, Zoe, Catherine Barnard, Simon Deakin, Sarah Fraser Butlin. 2021.
Deakin and Morris' Labour Law (Hart Publishing). ISBN: 9781509943562
Fudge, Judy, Shae McCrystal, and Kamala Sankaran (eds). 2012. Challenging the Legal Boundaries of Work Regulation (Hart Publishing). ISBN 9781847319784
Standing, Guy. 2011. The precariat: the new dangerous class (Bloomsbury (London: Bloomsbury Academic) ISBN 9781849664547 (ebk.)
See the library reading list for this module (Canterbury)
The intended subject specific learning outcomes are as listed below.
On successfully completing the module, students will be able to:
1. Demonstrate a detailed understanding of the concepts, rules and principles, and their practical application, across the breadth of labour
law.
2. Critically evaluate the significance of (and misuse of) employment status as a gateway to employment rights.
3. Critically evaluate the suitability of the employment contract and other theoretical alternatives as a means of conceiving and regulating
employment relationships.
4. Demonstrate an understanding of the diverse influences that shape UK labour law including the role of trade unions and the impact of EU
law and jurisprudence.
5. Use the knowledge of the law gained, and of its contextual and socio-economic underpinnings, to critically analyse and evaluate labour
law's role and effectiveness in regulating employment in UK, including potential reforms.
6. Demonstrate understanding of the comparative merits of the different routes of enforcing particular employment rights.
7. Demonstrate an awareness of, and sensitivity to, the economic, social, and political context of labour law.
8. Critically evaluate the impact of labour law and policy on those with particular characteristics.
The intended generic learning outcomes are as listed below.
On successfully completing the module, students will be able to:
1. construct well-reasoned and well-structured written arguments;
2. critically analyse legal and political responses to key issues;
3. present material with proper citations and use of references;
4. express themselves clearly, accurately and succinctly;
5. undertake research on a defined topic, using legal and non-legal sources;
University of Kent makes every effort to ensure that module information is accurate for the relevant academic session and to provide educational services as described. However, courses, services and other matters may be subject to change. Please read our full disclaimer.
