CIPD Intermediate Award – Employment Law (1 Unit)

Who is the course for?

The purpose of this unit is to introduce the major areas of employment legislation and the employment law system, focusing in particular on ways in which day-to-day HR activities are subjected to some form of regulation. The unit is intended to provide an overview, rather than to focus in detail on the operation of specific employment laws, for those who need to understand and be able to evaluate emerging developments in the management of the employment relationship in local and international jurisdictions.

This unit is suitable for persons who:
- Seek to develop a career in HR management and development
- Are working in the field of HR management and development and need to extend their knowledge and skills
- Have responsibility for implementing HR policies and strategies needed to understand the role of HR in the wider organisational and environmental contex.

What will I study?

Unit content:

1. Understand the purpose of employment regulation and the way it is enforced in practice
The role of employment law in helping to achieve social justice and fairness in the workplace; economic arguments in favour of, and against, increased employment regulation; the role played by courts and institutions with jurisdiction to hear employment-related matters and make and enforce employment law; procedures for settling cases and the employment tribunal system.

2. Know how to manage recruitment and selection activities lawfully
Establishing a contract of employment and the legal obligations that follow for employers and employees; the principles of discrimination law and how they affect recruitment and selection activities; direct and indirect discrimination, Genuine Occupational Requirements and positive action.

3. Know how to manage change and reorganisation lawfully
Managing organisation structure changes in different countries in line with local prevailing employment legislation and regulations; contractual issues in the management of change; flexibility clauses, gaining consent for proposed contractual changes; the principles of the law in the areas of redundancy and business transfers; individual and collective consultation rights.

4. Know how to manage issues relating to pay and working time lawfully
The principles of equal pay; conducting equal pay reviews to ensure compliance; laws regulating the payment of wages and salaries; the National Minimum Wage; the Working Time Regulations and minimum annual leave entitlements; maternity, paternity, adoption and parental leave; rights to paid and unpaid time off during working hours; the rights to request flexible working and time off for training purposes.

5. Be able to ensure that staff are treated lawfully when they are at work
The principles of discrimination law; managing diversity to ensure equity and fair access; the principles of health and safety law and employee health and well-being; the law relating to personal injury claims; unlawful harassment; major implied contractual duties; mutuality of obligation; freedom of association and trade union recognition rights; constructive dismissal law.

6. Know how to manage performance and disciplinary matters lawfully
The principles of unfair dismissal law; managing capability and misconduct issues; formal hearings and warnings; gross misconduct; the right to be accompanied at formal disciplinary and grievance hearings; Public Interest Disclosure and whistle-blowing.

This unit information is based on the CIPD Unit specification and will be assessed via a 3,000 word written assignment.

How will the course be delivered?

The course will be delivered over 10 weeks in our University Centre on the main campus in Blackburn.

Course Entry Criteria

This course, set at Level 5 (second year degree level) is designed to give an all round grounding in the main skills and knowledge used by line managers and human resources practitioners when managing employees and dealing with the associated human resource management problems.

The college operates a no refunds policy as detailed below. Cancellations and transfer requests are subject to the following conditions:

• More than 4 weeks notice – no charge
• 4 weeks notice – 30% of the cost
• 2-3 weeks notice – 50% of the cost
• 1-2 weeks notice – 75% of the cost
• Less than 1 weeks notice – 100% of the cost

All cancellations must be made in writing and are subject to a £10 administration charge. The full fee’s policy is available on request.

What will I get at the end of the course?

CIPD Intermediate Award – Employment Law (1 Unit).

What can I do next?

Speak to your course leader about other units or consider attending the full CIPD course.

How much does it cost?

Fees: £375.00 per person

In addition you will be required to pay direct to the CIPD an administration/certification fee which is in the region of £35.00 (the tutor will explain the process on the first session). Please note: this does not give you any membership rights and will not give you access to the member benefits or full access to the CIPD website.