Chapter 9: HR Theory and Employment Law

Benjamin Franklin famously exclaimed that nothing is certain, except death and taxes. Another certainty is that most of humanity will either be employers or employees for much of their adult lives. It is one of the most fundamental experiences giving meaning to our time on Earth. Thus, it is important to have some understanding of the law around people management, which is variously referred to as employment law, labour law or HR law.

This chapter explores the lifecycle of employment, from start to finish, looking at the role of statutory rights and the impact of European Union directives and anti-discrimination laws on people management across the employment spectrum.