Course Description and Competencies

What to Expect

Employment and labor law provides the framework that protects employees, guides employers, and supports fair, consistent workplace decisions. For human resources (HR) practitioners, this knowledge is crucial for navigating each stage of the employment relationship which carry both legal responsibility and human impact. In this course, you will work through twelve lessons, or topics, in a platform called MyEducator. Each topic will help you build skills in interpreting employment laws, recognizing workplace risks, and recommending actions that support compliance while protecting both your organization and employee rights. 

 As you move through the course, you will explore how HR practitioners help prevent discrimination, manage workplace policies, and respond to employee relations concerns in legally sound ways. You will also examine how labor laws and legal decisions shape relationships among employees, employers, and unions. By connecting compliance, labor relations, and risk management, this course will help you build the confidence to make informed recommendations, support fair practices, and contribute to a workplace where policies are applied responsibly.

Course Competencies

This course covers the following competencies:

  • Theβ€―learner recommends strategies to prevent discrimination, limit employer risk, and manage compliance with employment laws and workplace policies.
  • The learner describes how statutory, administrative, and judicial decisions impact labor relations.
  • The learner recommends appropriate employment actions to balance risk management with the rights of both the employer and employee.

Assessment

The assessment provides an opportunity to demonstrate your mastery of the competencies in this course. You may attempt the assessment two times before additional support is necessary. If you require further attempts, please contact your Course Instructor or Student Experience Specialist.

1 Final Exam
3 Competency Units

Course Outline

ModuleUpon completion of this module, you will be able to:
Topic 1: The Nature of the Employment Relationship
  • Explain employment-at-will, the Model Employment Termination Ace (META), and the exceptions to employment-at-will. 
  • Describe tort laws that can interfere with the employee-employer relationship.  
Topic 2: Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 
  • Explain the role of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) in preventing discrimination, resolving discrimination claims by employees, and enforcing Title VII. 
  • Contrast disparate treatment and disparate impact employment discrimination. 
Topic 3: Gender Discrimination and Sexual Harassment 
  • Differentiate among discriminatory acts that involve religion, national origin, color, sex, and race under Title VII. 
  • Distinguish different types of gender and sexual harassment under Title VII. 
  • Contrast gender-based pay differentials as either having merit or violating the Equal Pay Act. 
  • Identify employer actions that may violate the Pregnancy Discrimination Act or an employee’s right to time off under FMLA. 
Topic 4: Age Discrimination 
  • Differentiate among discriminatory acts that involve religion, national origin, color, sex, and race under Title VII. 
  • Examine age discrimination claims to determine whether there was a violation of the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA). 
Topic 5: Religious Discrimination in Employment 
  • Differentiate among discriminatory acts that involve religion, national origin, color, sex, and race under Title VII.   
Topic 6: Race, Color and Nation of Origin Discrimination 
  • Differentiate among discriminatory acts that involve religion, national origin, color, sex, and race under Title VII. 
Topic 7: The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) 
  • Explain how employee disabilities and genetic information are protected from discriminatory employment decisions. 
Topic 8: Affirmative Action 
  • Explain the purpose of Affirmative Action.
Topic 9: Employer Responsibilities in Hiring, Retaining and Terminating Employees 
  • Explain employers’ responsibility when hiring new employees under the Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA). 
  • Identify how the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act may affect workforce reductions.  
Topic 10: Employment Benefits and Protections 
  • Explain how whistleblower protections apply to all Title VII claims. 
  • Describe the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) and the protections it offers to military employees. 
  • Explain how the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Act protects employees’ safety at work. 
  • Identify how income is protected through unemployment, workers’ compensation, Social Security, and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA). 
  • Use the Fair Labor Standards Act to comply with federal minimum wage, overtime provisions, and child labor protections. 
Topic 11: Privacy and Information in Employment 
  • Interpret employee privacy rights in both the public and private sectors. 
Topic 12: Labor Law 
  • Describe how arbitration may aid in dispute resolution. 
  • Describe legal responses to labor organization. 
  • Summarize the Norris-LaGuardia Act. 
  • Explain the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) and the National Labor Relations Board. 
  • Explain the steps of the union organization process. 
  • Describe different types of strikes and how national emergencies may impact the union’s ability to strike. 
  • Describe unfair labor practices by both the employer and union as well as how collective bargaining protects employees. 
  • Identify employee rights and union member rights. 

Technology Requirements

We want you to have the tools to succeed! Since this course includes at least one proctored test, please be sure to have a working microphone, speakers, and an external webcam. Unfortunately, an internal webcam (built into many laptops) is not acceptable. (Note: The external webcam is required only for exams that have proctors. You do not need one for practice tests and other non-proctored assessments.) If you haven't already, be sure to download the Meazure Learning Guardian browser, which you will need for the proctoring system.

You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader DC. If you haven't already, download this free software. You may encounter an interactive form that contains fields that you can select or fill in. Review how to fill in a PDF form.

You are allowed to use a hand-held calculator on every assessment. Be sure to follow these calculator requirements.

For other details about the technology you'll need, review the Computer System and Technology Requirements. If you have questions about your setup, contact support@academy.wgu.edu.

Key Contacts

Certificate Connect
Check out this online community to take advantage of course resources, including videos and tips from your educators. You can ask and answer questions, provide feedback on your progress, and interact with fellow students. You will find this platform in the Student Resources section of the course. Log on and do some exploring!

Technical Support
If you encounter technical issues, be sure to contact the Help Desk. Just submit a Support Request for assistance.

Program Support
Do you have questions about your account? Student Support has answers. They can help with billing, switching courses, and other requests. You can contact them at (888) 320-0540 or support@academy.wgu.edu.

Accommodations

WGU provides compliant and accessible learning experiences. If you require accommodation, please contact us at the start of the course. You can email disability@academy.wgu.edu or call (888) 320-0540.

We are committed to ensuring that all students with disabilities have equal access to WGU's services and materials. We strive to use best practices for accessibility. Our goal is to conform to existing U.S. laws, including the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 and Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act.

Our learning management system (LMS) platform is Open edX. Open edX’s commitment to accessible content is published in their Website Accessibility Policy.