Labor and Employment Law for Human Resources
MANAGMNT
This course is designed to introduce students to the policy considerations that underlie labor and employment law. Students will also develop an understanding of how these policies and laws apply to human resource management. This class will introduce students to the major federal and state statutes, case law, and administrative rules that are essential for effective human resource management. Topics will include: employment contract issues, anti-discrimination law and unlawful harassment (including the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, Title VII and Massachusetts Chapter 151B), labor law statutes (including the Fair Labor Standards Act and the National Labor Relations Act), wage and hour regulations, benefits law (including the Family and Medical Leave Act and ERISA), unionization rules, and privacy issues (including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996), among others. Ethical decision-making in the business context and the interplay between law and ethics will be a central focus. The role of sustainable business practices and social responsibility in corporate decision-making will be incorporated into our discussions about law and the legal environment of business. In addition to familiarizing students with the relevant law governing human resource management, the course will also allow students to strengthen their research and writing skills and engage in critical analysis. Application of the material to current human resource issues will be a core component of the course.
Course Details
Fall 2026
This class is non-credit
Course Notes
U+ class; $85/term reg. fee + $680/credit. Refunds differ from Univ. day classes; see www.umass.edu/universityplus/resources/refund-policy.