Module manager: Rachael O'Connor
Email: R.E.OConnor@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2025/26
Discovery students must have taken LAW1076 An Introduction to Law: What is Law? Incoming Study Abroad students must have taken Contract Law at their home university.
| LAW1030 | Contract Law |
| LAW1076 | Introduction to Law |
| LUBS3915 | Employment Law |
This module is not approved as a discovery module
What is the difference between being a worker or an employee? What are the pros and cons of flexible work contracts? As the nature and conditions of work change in response to globalisation and other social, political and economic shifts, legislators and policy-makers seek to adapt and respond – giving rise to many interesting social and legal issues and tensions. This module considers how employment law shapes and is shaped by such issues and tensions. It is designed to explore contemporary work and industrial relations through a series of case studies – concerning parental leave, the 'gig economy' and questions relating to work/life balance, among others – which affect the rights and responsibilities of people at work. Students will also be expected to engage with academic literature concerning work, rights and responsibilities developed in other disciplines within the social sciences in accordance with the module’s law-in-context approach. It is expected that any student – as a current or prospective employee, employer, activist or advocate – will find this module intellectually engaging and relevant.
At the end of this module, students should be able to:
- evaluate the impact of employment law in its social context;
- apply employment case law and legislation in everyday scenarios;
- criticise gaps in employment law and policy;
- propose alternative employment law reforms;
- recognise the interplay between employment law and other areas of law in shaping the lives of the 21st century workforce.
Flexible and precarious work;
Working time;
Equality at work;
Collective labour rights
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| On-line Learning | 5 | 1 | 5 |
| Lecture | 11 | 1 | 11 |
| Seminar | 5 | 1.5 | 7.5 |
| Private study hours | 176.5 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 23.5 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200 | ||
The online learning element is broken down into 15 minute tasks, there will be 20 x 15 minute tasks overall.
A formative assessment opportunity will be provided.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Essay | 1 x 2,500-word essay | 100 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
The reading list is available from the Library website
Last updated: 30/04/2025
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team