Certificate in Essential Employment Law
Understanding employment law is an absolute necessity for first line managers because they are becoming increasingly involved in employment contracts and disciplinary/grievance procedures. This accredited, six-week course examines employment law as a management issue for the human services and non-profit sector.
Successful completion of the course should lead to improved better Employment practice, encourage the quality agenda and contribute towards improved organisational excellence for you and your team.
Who Is The Employment Law Course For?
The course is for first line supervisors and managers who need to understand employment law in Ireland and want to participate in in an accredited programme developed specifically for the human services and non-profit sector.
It is particularly suitable for people engaged in continuing professional development. Upon successful completion, you will receive 10 educational credits towards a Level 6 Applied Management award.



What Will I Learn on the Employment Law course?
Learning Outcomes
After successfully completing the course you should be able to:
- Identify and discuss the three sources of Irish Law that determine the legislative and contractual context in which employment law operates
- Describe the work of the primary institutions of labour law and the main activities of the Circuit and High Court
- Understand what constitutes good practice in respect to managing and implementing disciplinary procedures
- Describe in detail the process of recruiting employees from induction though to the completion of a probationary period
- Appreciate the importance of ‘Induction Training’ for new recruits
Course Content
Unit 1: An Introduction to Employment Law
- Sources of Law – The Constitution, Statutes & Common Law
- Body of Employment Legislation
- Employment Law Institutions
- Employment Appeals Tribunal
- Labour Relations Commission
- Rights Commissioner
- The Labour, Circuit & High Courts
- Workplace Relations Reform
Unit 2: Unfair Dismissals Acts – 1977–2007
- Unfair Dismissals Acts: Qualifying to Bring a Claim
- Justifying the Dismissal
- The Requirement to Act Fairly
- Constructive Dismissal
- Fixed Term/Specific Purpose Contracts
- Non-Qualification under Legislation
- Claimant’s Application Procedure
- Key Note on Unfair Dismissals Acts
- Reform of the States Workplace Relations
Unit 3: Equality, Health & Safety
- The Employment Equality Act, 1998 – 2011
- The Equal Status Act 2000-2012
- What is Discrimination? Rules & Redress
- The Role of the Equality Tribunal
- Common Equality Issues in the Workplace
- The Importance of Health & Safety Legislation & Practice
- The Safety, Health & Welfare at Work Act, 2005
- (General application) Regulations Act, 2007
- Risk Assessment & the Safety Statement
- Risk Assessment Guidelines for the Effective Manager
- Safety Management
- Measuring & Reviewing Organisational Performance
- Bullying & Harassment in the Workplace
- Workplace Stress
Unit 4: Contracts, Disciplinary & Grievance Procedures
- Employment Contracts – Principles & Elements
- Contract “of” Service/Contract “for” Service
- Disciplinary & Grievance Procedures
- Disciplinary Policy & Practice
- Grievance Policy & Practice
Unit 5: Recruitment & Selection
- The Recruitment & Selection Process
- HR Planning
- Job Analysis – Duties, Responsibilities & Specification
- Recruitment – Sources & Methods
- Selection – The Interview Process
- Induction
- The Probation Period
Unit 6: Training & Development
- Functions of Training
- Who is Responsible for Training?
- Required Skills
- Training Policy
- Training Courses
- Training in Practice
- Identifying Training Needs
- Organising & Implementing Training
- Coaching & Mentoring
- Induction Training
How Will I Be Assessed?
Successful completion is dependent on undertaking an online examination and completing a written assessment. The former will test your knowledge of the course learning materials.
The latter will help evaluate how well you can apply this knowledge in your workplace. This will allow you explore the practical implications of employment legislation in an environment where you have the support of expert tutors and professional colleagues who are likely to be facing the same issues as you are.
The Learner Experience
THE COURSE DIRECTOR'S VIEW – BRENDAN COLLINS
"Knowing the formal and legal aspects of employment law, ensures that the manager works from a very definite, broad and informed foundation. Apart from contributing to general good employment practice, adopting this professional stance and attitude also contributes to the quality agenda.
Study employment law through the OTC's award winning, innovative learning model. Read more about the model here."

How Will the Employment Law Course Enhance My Career Prospects?
Within the current regulatory environment that human service organisations now operate within in Ireland, the need for managers to possess the skills and knowledge associated with employment law cannot be overstated.
The complexities and nature of change that accompany human service provision call for a distinct need for managers to be competent in such skills in order to ensure the desired outcomes for the organisation, the staff member and also the manager themselves.
Qualification
The course is QQI approved HET Award at Level 6 on the National Framework of Qualifications. Successful participants be awarded a single subject Certificate in Essential Employment Law and hold 10 credits towards the Certificate in Applied Management (Human Services).