HR2SX2 - HRM In the workplace: policy, practice and the law 01 Sep 2019 - 31 Aug 2027 | Version 2

Associated Module Information

Module Code: HR2SX2
Module Title: HRM In the workplace: policy, practice and the law
Faculty: Faculty of Business and Creative Industries
Faculty Group: Professional Development
Faculty Sub Group: Professional Development
Module Leader: Kevin Brown, Davina Evans
Module Team: Shehla Khan, Karl Greenhough, Tiru Madahar, Christine Esposito, Rebecca Brittain, Adam Poole
First Intended Intake: SEP 2019 Final Year of Intake: 2024
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 5
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes:
HECOS Code Weighting:

Document Version Information

Version 2
Valid From 01 Sep 2019
Valid To 31 Aug 2027

Module Aims

This module introduces the major areas of employment legislation, focusing on ways in which day-to-day HR activities are subjected to some form of regulation. HR professionals are obliged to take account of legal requirements when carrying out many central aspects of their role. They are also involved (to different degrees depending on seniority) in defence and settlement of claims lodged with employment tribunals by aggrieved employees or former employees.

Delivered in the first term, this module introduces students to the fundamental legal imperatives which inform HR policy and practice and sets the scene for the legal dimension of other modules which follow.

This module focuses on the operational aspects of employment laws for HR practitioners. It gives students an understanding of the formation of HR policy. It provides an awareness of the limitations of the HR role, enabling students to make effective judgements with regards to when to outsource to legal professionals for advice.

Content Summary

The module adopts a ‘case based’ approach to learning in order to bring the subject matter to life and will include the following aspects:

  • The purpose of employment regulation.
  • The role of employment law in achieving social justice and fairness in the workplace.
  • Developments in UK employment law and equal opportunities legislation, managing diversity and inclusivity.
  • Establishing a contract of employment and legal obligations.
  • The principles of discrimination law and how they affect activities and relate to other modules on the course.
  • Managing organisational change in line with prevailing employment legislation.
  • Equal pay, national living wage and the working time regulations
  • Discipline and grievance incorporating individual employment law.
  • Managing performance and disciplinary matters lawfully.
  • Legal obligations and rights.
  • Dismissal.
  • Right to work legislation.

This module is mapped to the following CIPD unit(s):

5ELWv2 Employment Law

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Lecture 20
Practical classes and workshops 20
Independent Study 90
Directed Study 60
Formative Assessment - Independent 2
Groupwork 8
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Demonstrate a working knowledge of the principles of employment legislation as they apply to varying contexts of the work environment.
LO2 Demonstrate the ability to source and interpret legislation in order to produce lawful advice on policy implementation in a variety of workplace scenarios.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Practical Assessment (CW) Practical Coursework 1 A practical HR intervention focusing on a predetermined aspect of the module. 15 N/A 50 No 40
Written Assignment (CW) Case Study (CW) 1 A concentrated inquiry into a legal problem. 0 2500 50 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Practical Coursework 1
Case Study (CW) 1

Reading List

Cabrelli, D. (2014) Employment Law in Context: text and materials. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Cushway, B. (2015) The employer’s handbook: an essential guide to employment law, personnel policies and procedures. (11th ed). London: Kogan Page.

Daniels, K. (2016) Introduction to employment law: fundamentals for HR and business students. (4th ed). London: Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.

Lewis, D. and Sargeant, M. (2015) Employment law: the essentials. (13th ed). London: Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.

Slade, E. (2014) Tolley’s employment handbook. (28th ed). London: LexisNexis.