Equality at Work

Module overview

This module introduces you to four key themes of equality law in the employment context: (1) The principles and evolution of equality law; (2) The forms of discrimination; (3) The protected grounds (4) The challenges for enforcing equality law. You will acquire a good understanding of the relevant law. You will also develop a critical perspective of law in its wider social, economic, political and historical context, and you will be trained to successfully apply the law to factual situations. The module will be taught in a lively manner, promoting student engagement through problem-based learning, analysis of real-life situations and discussion of topical social and policy developments.

Aims and Objectives

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

the significance and influence of European Union Law and other international standards on UK equality law.
the nature, principles and functions of Equality Law and the main features of its sources and institutions;
primary sources of Equality Law and use them to develop your own critical opinion on key and controversial aspects of this area of law;
the different protected grounds and assess the differences between the levels of protection afforded for each of them;

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

formulate and communicate arguments and your own viewpoints effectively in writing demonstrating an awareness of academic integrity;
analyse, synthesise and draw your own conclusions from complex written texts;
apply your knowledge to solve complex actual or hypothetical problems;
conduct independent study and self-directed research to produce clear, orderly and well-structured opinions regarding topical developments.

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

identify gaps and weaknesses in this area of law and contribute to the doctrinal and policy debate on how to address them, taking into account the wider legal, political, economic and social context.
critically evaluate the challenges which arise in the practical application of Equality Law and appraise the enforcement tools which have been developed to address those challenges;
analyse the differences between different forms of discrimination and contribute to the underlying doctrinal and jurisprudential debates;

Learning and Teaching

Teaching and learning methods

Teaching methods include: • 1 x 2-hour seminar per week • 1 x 2-hour tutorial per fortnight Learning activities include: • Accessing resources • Individual study • Self-directed research • Group work • Problem solving • Essay writing • Blog writing In view of enhancing your interest and motivation, the teaching team will: • Make use of media and technology-supported learning and a range of other teaching techniques. • Refer to topical developments in employment law and related areas. • Invite guest-speakers - time and location constraints allowing. Clear guidelines will be provided to help you write an individual blog contribution and comment on others’ contributions.

Study time
Type	Hours
Preparation for scheduled sessions	40
Seminar	20
Tutorial	10
Wider reading or practice	20
Revision	40
Completion of assessment task	10
Follow-up work	10
Total study time	150

Resources & Reading list

Internet Resources

Government Equalities Office.

Trade Union Congress (TUC), Equality Issues.

In particular, the TUC Equality Audit 2014.

Runnymede Trust.

European Commission, Special Eurobarometer 437. Discrimination in the EU in 2015.

Equality and Diversity Forum.

European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions (Eurofound).

Equal Opportunities Review.

ACAS.

Equality and Discrimination Law Expertise Blog.

European Working Conditions Survey 2010.

EU Fundamental Right Agency (FRA) [excellent reports and surveys on equality issues].

Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC).

International Labour Organisation.

Textbooks

O'Dempsey, D (2013). Discrimination in Employment. A Claims Handbook. LAG.

Fredman, S (2012). Discrimination Law. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Wadham, J, et al (eds) (2012). Blackstone’s Guide to The Equality Act. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Sargeant, M (2013). Discrimination and the Law. Routledge.

Cabrelli, D (2020). Employment Law in Context; Text and Materials. Oxford: OUP.

Hepple, B (2014). Equality: The New Legal Framework. Hart.

Monaghan, K (2013). Monaghan on Equality Law. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Khaitan, T (2015). A Theory of Discrimination Law. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Doyle, B, et al (2010). Equality and Discrimination: The New Law. Jordans.

Assessment

Formative

This is how we’ll give you feedback as you are learning. It is not a formal test or exam.

Essay

Assessment Type: Formative
Feedback: Furthermore, you will also receive feedback: - On your performance in tutorials (orally). - On a selected tutorial question (in writing). - During seminars (regarding your answers to questions asked during the session). - During revision sessions. - During feedback hours. You will also be encouraged to self-assess your progress relying on a range of materials which will be made available on Blackboard.
Final Assessment: No
Group Work: Yes

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Examination	100%

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Examination	100%

Repeat

An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Examination	100%

Repeat Information

Repeat type: Internal & External