No previous subjects are required.

WHAT THIS COURSE CAN DO FOR YOU. Employment relations is a fundamental part of business. This course provides you with a thorough knowledge of the legal frameworks behind the employment relationship. It helps develop your skills concerning human resource management and labour flexibility, so as to enhance business competitiveness, skill retention, employee satisfaction and legal compliance. By the end of the course, students will be able: -To distinguish an employment relationship from other work relationships used by companies. -To decide on what kind of services best fit the company's needs: external services or internal (employment) work? -To be aware of the importance of legal institutions and collective bargaining. -To identify the collective agreement applicable in the workplace. -To master the types of employment contracts (open-ended, fixed-term, part-time, etc.). -To determine the limits of managerial prerogatives in the workplace. -To know the legal aspects of the labour market and the functioning of its main institutions (employment agencies, etc.). -To use the legal tools enhancing labour flexibility. -To know the statutory rights of workers, as well as their representation channels (unions, works councils, etc.). -To manage labour disputes. -To know the main challenges posed by cross-border employee mobility.

Unit 1. Concept and goals of Labour Law. Unit 2. Sources of Labour Law. Transnational issues of employment. 1. Constitution 2. International Law 3. European Union Law 4. National Legislation 5. Collective Bargaining 6. Enforcement Authorities 7. Case law Unit 3. Labour market regulation. 1. Institutions: Employment services, Temporary employment agencies, etc. 2. Basic legislation affecting labour supply and demand Unit 4. The employment contract. Concept and types. 1. Definitions of employer and employee 2. Subcontracting 3. Contracting rules 4. Non-standard contracts Unit 5. Statutory rights of employers and employees. 1. Salary 2. Schedules and hours 3. Breaks, leave and vacation 4. The workplace, geographic mobility and telecommuting Unit 6. The employment relationship: internal flexibility. 1. Definitions of flexibility 2. Limitations Unit 7. Termination of the employment relationship. 1. Dismissal: collective, disciplinary, causal and unlawful (unfair or void) 2. Resignation and retirement Unit 8. Employee representation in the workplace. 1. Union representation and freedom of association 2. Works councils Unit 9. Collective bargaining. 1. Definition of bargaining agents 2. Bargaining units 3. Process 4. Contents Unit 10. Labour disputes. 1. Strikes 2. Alternative dispute resolution 3. The role of labour authorities and the courts Unit 11. Social Security 1. Constitutional model and structure 2. Administration issues 3. Programmatic content

- LECTURES. Topics are presented by the teacher in class. Some readings may be required by the teacher. - PRACTICAL ACTIVITIES. There will be different activities, such as cases, workshops, etc. The tutorships will be those determined by the professor.