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  • Berkeley Global

Employment Law

BUS ADM X455.2

40306
Delivery Options Online

Become familiar with legislation and court decisions significant to human resources so that you can appreciate the concern related to employee rights and the sensitive nature of the employer’s role in dealing with evolving human resources management issues. The complex issues inherent in human resource management require a solid understanding of the interrelationship between state and federal legislation and court decisions, and of the daily activities of the human resources function. Explore issues that affect workplace policies such as the Americans With Disabilities Act, AIDS, alcohol and drugs, sexual harassment, privacy rights and related matters.

Course Outline

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Course Objectives 

  • Gain knowledge of federal and California legislation impacting employment law
  • Understand pertinent employment law cases decided by the United States Supreme Court and the California Supreme Court
  • Identify different areas of employment law issues from case studies
  • Acquire sensitivity and skill in addressing workplace employment law situations


What You Learn

  • Arbitration, mediation and third-party neutrals
  • Employment termination and employment at will
  • Alcohol and drugs, drug testing practices, court decisions, private sector vs. public sector issues
  • Sexual harassment (hostile environment, quid pro quo, same-sex harassment, court decisions)
  • Americans With Disabilities Act and position description defense
  • Workplace investigations (issues and guidelines)
  • Employee handbooks
  • Negligent employment practices
  • Hiring, retention, supervision and training
  • Reference checking (court decisions, defamation, release statements, guidelines)
  • Workplace violence assessment, prevention, policies and training
  • Employment discrimination 
  • Employee privacy and the individual’s statutory rights

How You Learn

  • Audio/visual presentations
  • Lectures
  • Group discussions
  • Case studies
  • Teamwork


Is This Course Right for Me?
This course is designed for human resource management professionals or anyone interested in acquiring knowledge about rules and regulations affecting the legal status of workers.

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Sections

Section 026

Sep 08 to Nov 10

Type: Live Online

Instructor:

  • Thomas Cushing

Cost: $1,050.00

See section 026 Details

Type Live Online

Days

M

Time

6:00PM to 9:00PM Pacific Time

Dates

Sep 08, 2025 to Nov 10, 2025

Location

Live Online

Schedule and Location

View Details

Instructional Hours

30.0

Location

Live Online

Delivery Options

Online

Available for Credit

2 semester units

Section Notes

Students will receive access to the course in Canvas on the course start date. Zoom meeting information will be emailed to enrolled students before the first class meeting and posted to the announcements page in Canvas.

 

Fall 2025 enrollment opens on June 16!

This course applies to the following programs:

Certificate Program in Human Resource Management

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Required Courses

  • Essentials of Human Resources
  • Aligning Human Resource Initiatives With Business Success
  • Employee Recruitment, Selection and Placement
  • Effective Performance Management
  • Total Rewards
  • Employee Relations
  • Talent Management and Workforce Development

Electives

  • Human Resource Systems and Technology
  • Introduction to Human Capital Analytics
  • Employment Law
  • Organization Development and Change
  • Employee Benefit Plans

Learn More About This Program

Notes

Departmental contact: extension-business@berkeley.edu

Instructional Types

Live Online
Live Online courses provide an interactive learning experience with scheduled synchronous online sessions held via Zoom video conferencing (Pacific Time). Learn more about the Live Online format.
Online, Start Anytime
Continuous enrollment course begins when you enroll. You have a minimum of 90 days and a maximum of 180 days to complete the course.
Online, Fixed Date
Enroll in this course by its start date and complete it by its specified end date. There are no live sessions, but plenty of opportunities to collaborate with your classmates and instructor.
Classroom
Take classes in-person at one of our buildings or partner locations.

English Language Proficiency Requirements

All of our courses are taught in English. If English is not your first language, please use the following test scores as guides in order to be successful:

  • TOEFL: 90
  • IELTS Academic Format: 7
  • DAAD: C1
  • TEM-4 or TEM-8: Level 70
  • Duolingo: 125

Note: You do not need to submit test scores.

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Berkeley, CA 94704-7000

extension@berkeley.edu

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The University of California, Berkeley, is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). UC Berkeley Extension—like all other UC Berkeley schools, colleges and departments—is accredited by WASC through the University.

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Course Fee

Thomas Cushing

Tom Cushing has taught Employment Law, Negotiating in Business and several other law-related EMBA, DBA and MBA courses at Golden Gate U. since 1995. He was a GGU Adjunct of the Year in 2007 for a seminar on business and society in the DBA program.  He holds JD and MBA degrees from the U. of Illinois where he was an editor of The Caveat publication and elected President of the Student Bar Association.  Tom holds a BGS from the U. of Michigan, with Distinction. He has taught at UC Berkeley Extension since January 2024.

Tom worked in law and management positions at the DuPont Company and Conoco Inc, before leaving in 1993 to form a Bay Area-based legal search and staffing firm the Cushing Group, Recruiters. He took a sabbatical during 2010 to be Associate Director, Nevada Humane Society.  Tom has lectured nationally on Legal Negotiation and Settlement....

BUS ADM X455.2 - 026 - Employment Law

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