Employment Law Essentials Course

Overview

If you manage people or lead teams, a solid understanding of employment law is essential. This practical online employment law course gives you the confidence to meet Aotearoa New Zealand’s legal requirements across every stage of the employment relationship.

Over 20 hours, you'll study employment law online to learn how to make fair, reasonable, and well-documented decisions that reduce legal risk and support the foundations for high performing, engaged teams.

Through real-world case studies, interactive tools, and expert guidance, you’ll develop the skills to manage recruitment, rights and responsibilities, pay, performance, and to address issues lawfully and effectively when they arise.

Whether you're a new manager, business owner, or an HR professional seeking a refresher, this short online course will strengthen your understanding of employment law, and give you practical steps to build and maintain positive employment relations. 

This employment law course is ideal for

• Managers and team leaders responsible for people and performance
• HR professionals new to employment law or wanting a comprehensive refresher
• Employers and business owners seeking practical knowledge of employment law for employers
• Operational leaders looking to build productive and legally compliant employment relations

What you'll learn

• How to build strong, respectful workplace relationships by applying the principles and standards of Aotearoa New Zealand employment law. 
• Ways to effectively manage the employee lifecycle — from recruitment and onboarding to managing rights and pay, performance, and workplace issues. All while acting in good faith and making legal and fair decisions throughout.
• How to set clear expectations, give regular feedback, and hold effective performance conversations — recognising their importance in preventing issues before they escalate.
• The ways you can apply fair and lawful procedures when addressing workplace problems, including managing performance concerns, conducting disciplinary actions and investigations, and ending employment relationships.

This online course gives you a strong foundation in employment law and its role in building productive workplace relationships. You'll explore key legislation across the employee lifecycle, guided by real-world examples, expert tips, and practical interactive tools around employment law for employers. 

Course outline

This employment law course is divided into four modules you'll work your way through over the learning period. Each module includes specific learning objectives, educational content across a range of media, and activities to apply what you've learnt.

Module 1: Starting the employment relationship — hiring lawfully
Learn how to start the employment relationship off on the right foot by hiring lawfully, avoiding discrimination, and making proper offers of employment.

Module 2: Managing the relationship — rights, pay and leave
Explore the essentials of pay, leave, and workplace rights so you can manage entitlements fairly and confidently.

Module 3: Managing the relationship — performance and wellbeing
Discover how setting expectations, giving feedback, and supporting wellbeing provide the foundations for high performance and preventing issues before they escalate.

Module 4: Managing issues and ending employment fairly
Gain the skills to manage workplace problems and, when needed, end employment relationships fairly, lawfully, and with respect.

Assessments
All assessments are self-assessments and completion of the employment law course is determined by completion of all the learning modules and the self-assessment activities. 

Requirements

There are no prerequisites for this employment law course – it is open to anyone who has confidence listening, reading, and writing in English. 

Technology requirements 
To study employment law online, we recommend: 

• A laptop or desktop computer and a reliable internet connection.
• A PDF reader (like Adobe Acrobat Reader DC) to download PDFs with assessment instructions.
• Word processing software (like Microsoft Word or Google Docs) to complete your assignments.

Course fees
Course fees must be paid before learning can begin, either via online credit-card payment, or you can request an invoice by filling out this form. Invoice requests must be submitted by the Monday before the course entry date. If you’re enquiring after that, we recommend paying by credit card to avoid any delay to enrolment.

Group discounts
Get your colleagues together to take advantage of our group discounts: 

• 10% for 3 - 6 learners
• 15% for 7+ learners

Contact our Enrolment Support Team to learn more and enquire now.

Withdrawals and refunds
Once learning begins, you are eligible for a withdrawal with refund up until the end of day 3. After this date, refunds may be available if your circumstances are exceptional, for example if you've experienced a serious medical event.

Our people

Please note: our academic team develop and present video content within this employment law course, but are not always available to answer queries. Our learner experience team will be available to answer queries via support@uconline.ac.nz