Employment Law

The course will examine the laws that regulate the employment relationship. The primary focus will be on measures designed to protect private employees against discrimination in decisions such as hiring, termination and other changes in employment conditions, and against other types of "wrongful discharge." The course will also examine situations where an employer may have and affirmative obligation to accommodate employees, with a focus on the ethical issues raised by such "affirmative action" policies. The course will also cover a number of global issues, including the application of U.S. anti-discrimination laws to American companies located abroad, Title VII's prohibition of discrimination on the basis of national origin and the application of U.S. immigration laws to non-U.S. citizen employees. Other topics considered may include privacy and testing issues, regulation of benefits and regulations regarding health and safety. Recent cases and statutes of interest will also be addressed.