503 Employment Law (Scott & Lemon)

LAW503

Employment Law

(Scott & Lemon) >>> see Scott & Christianson (503 A1) or Gallagher & Greschner (503 B1) for 2023-24 sections.

Prerequisite courses: 

Prerequisite for:

Instructor(s): Karen (Gawne) Scott & Kelli Lemon

Course credit: 3

Method of presentation: Seminar

METHOD OF EVALUATION

The primary method of evaluation in this course is an exam worth 100% of the Grade.

Examination will be CLOSED BOOK

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Demotions, down-sizing, right-sizing, severance packages, early retirements, privacy issues and discrimination - individual employers and employees are turning to lawyers for advice on these issues with increasing frequency.  In a non-union context, these are called Employment Law issues. In contrast, Labour Law issues arise from union activity and the collective bargaining process.

This course will provide you with the theoretical and practical tools necessary to advise clients on Employment Law issues.  We will examine such fundamental legal concepts as whether one is defined as an employee, employer, or contractor (and what that means), investigate the impacts of provisions regularly found in employment contracts, and consider what constitutes just cause, wrongful dismissal, constructive dismissal and entitlement to damages.  We will review the relevant statutes which impact the employment relationship, including the Employment Standards Code and the Alberta Human Rights Act. We will explore developing issues such as the protection of confidential information, an employee’s duty of good faith, discrimination in the workplace and post-employment obligations such as restrictive covenants. 

SPECIAL COMMENTS

Description updated 2019-20. Please contact the instructor for any specific questions you may have related to this particular course section.

REQUIRED TEXTS (IF ANY):

N/A