Module: Labour Law

Module Specifications.

Current Academic Year 2024 - 2025

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Date posted: September 2024

Module Title	Labour Law
Module Code	HR5112 (ITS) / MNA1038 (Banner)
Faculty	DCU Business School	School	DCU Business School
Module Co-ordinator	Xuchang Zheng
Module Teachers	Aurora Trif, Brian Harney, Daryl D'Art, Eugene Hickland
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	5
Pre-requisite	Not Available
Co-requisite	Not Available
Compatibles	Not Available
Incompatibles	Not Available

None
Array

Description

This module aims to provide an overall knowledge and insight into the three main areas of labour law (trade union law, industrial relations law and employment law) and the corresponding legislation and judical decisions that underpin them. A second aim is to furnish an understanding and appreciation of key areas of importance in the everyday application of labour law in the workplace. Thirdly to equip students with a strong foundation in labour law so as to assist them in the crucial business of maintaining full legal compliance in the Irish workplace. Students are expected to attend lectures and contribute to class discussions.

Learning Outcomes

1. Recognise the uses and implications of legal materials including the constitution, statutory law, statutory instruments, european legislation (directives and regulations), codes of practice, case law and judical precedents
2. Identify the importance of voluntarism as a dispute resolution mechanism of long standing importance and effectiveness in the workplace.
3. Evaluate the implications of current and intended legislation plus contemporary decisions of various adjudicating bodies on an organisation's personnel policies, practices and procedures.
4. Acknowledge that labour law does not always present a humanitarian solution to people problems.
5. Organise the personnel policies, practices and procedures of an organisation so as to be legally compliant at all times.
6. Examine a piece of legislation in terms of its origin, aims, structures and effectiveness in daily operation.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full-time hours per semester
Lecture	24	12 two hour weekly lectures
Assignment Completion	25	Essay on a specific piece of legislation
Independent Study	76	private study
Total Workload: 125

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Introduction
Definitions - trade union law, industrial relations law, employment law, Sources - constitution, statutory, European Union, codes of practice, case law and precedents, Collective v individual labour law, Voluntarism V legalism.

Trade Union Law
Creation and legality of trade unions and employers'associations (TU Acts 1871, 1941, 1971, 1975, Negotiating licences, Freedom of association and closed shops, Free collective bargaining and negotiations.

Industrial Relations Law
IR Acts 1946, 1969, 1990, 2001, 2004), Labour Court, Labour Relations Commission (rights commissioners, conciliation service, advisory service), JLCs and employment regulations orders, JICs, Registered agreements,, Conciliation, mediation and arbitration, Industrial conflict (strikes, go-slows, blacking, overtime bans).

Employment Law
Commencing employment, During employment, Termination of employment, Equality, Safety, health and welfare at work.

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	40%	Examination Weight	60%

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Course Work Breakdown
Essay	To examine a specific piece of legislation in terms of its aims and effectiveness.	40%	Week 6

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories: Resit category 1: A resit is available for both* components of the module. Resit category 2: No resit is available for a 100% continuous assessment module. Resit category 3: No resit is available for the continuous assessment component where there is a continuous assessment and examination element.
* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a Continuous Assessment/Examination split; where the module is 100% continuous assessment, there will also be a resit of the assessment
This module is category 1

Indicative Reading List

Donovan, D.: 2006, Employment Law, Thomson / RoundHall,
Faulkner, M: 2007, Essentials of Irish Labour Law, Gill & Macmillan,
McCann, A.: 2009, Know Your Rights: A Simple Guide to Social and Civic Entitlements in Ireland, Blackhall Publishers,
Teague, P & Thomas, D.: 2008, Employment Dispute Resolution and Standard Setting in the Republic Ireland, Oak Tree Press,

Other Resources

1769, Lecture Handouts, J-k Barrett, 0, Class Materials,