HR & Employment Law Basics — Full Course Syllabus

Practical, role-focused grounding in core HR terminology, worker classification, key labor-law concepts, and compliant hiring practices for talent-acquisition specialists.

1. 1. At-will employmentThe employment relationship where either employer or employee can end employment at any time for any lawful reason, subject to exceptions.
2. 2. Employment contractA signed agreement specifying employment terms such as duration, duties, compensation, and conditions for termination.
3. 3. Independent contractorA worker who performs services under a business-to-business relationship and is not treated as an employee for employment-law purposes.
4. 4. Employee (common-law test)A worker classified as an employee based on degree of control, economic dependence, and other factors under common-law tests.
5. 5. Minimum wageThe lowest hourly pay rate an employer must legally pay covered workers under applicable law.
6. 6. Paid leave entitlements (basic)Common legally-protected paid-time-off categories such as sick leave or statutory paid family leave, as basic concepts.
7. 7. Unpaid leave entitlements (basic)Statutory unpaid leave categories like family/medical leave and the general eligibility concept.
8. 8. Protected characteristicsPersonal attributes (e.g., race, gender, disability) that law typically protects against employment discrimination.
9. 9. Harassment (workplace)Unwelcome conduct based on protected characteristics that creates a hostile or abusive work environment or is a condition of employment.
10. 10. Background checks (hiring)Permissible scope and limitations for pre-employment background screening, including consent and disclosure basics.
11. 11. Right to work and employment eligibilityThe requirement to verify a worker's legal authorization to work and the basic concept of employment-eligibility documentation.
12. 12. Job posting non-discriminationPrinciples for writing job ads that avoid discriminatory language and do not create unlawful preferences.
13. 13. Interview question legalityWhich topics are permissible or impermissible to ask during interviews based on protected characteristics and privacy concerns.
14. 14. Reasonable notice and final pay timingBasic expectations about final paycheck timing and required notices upon separation where commonly applicable.
15. 15. Layoff vs termination distinctionsThe conceptual difference between workforce reductions (layoffs) and individual terminations for cause or performance.
16. 16. Workplace policy documentationThe purpose of written policies (handbooks) and the importance of consistent, accessible documentation of workplace rules.
17. 17. Employment verification requestsHow to respond to and process third-party requests for employment verification while protecting privacy and compliance.
18. 18. Accommodating religious observance in hiringHow recruiters should consider and respond to scheduling or other needs tied to religious observance during hiring.
19. 19. Child labor and age restrictions (overview)Basic prohibitions and restrictions about employing minors and typical considerations recruiters must check.
20. 20. Misclassification riskThe legal and financial exposure employers face when treating employees as independent contractors incorrectly.
21. 21. Exempt vs Nonexempt (Wage-Hour)The distinction determining eligibility for overtime pay under wage-and-hour laws, typically based on duties and salary tests.
22. 22. Overtime payAdditional compensation required for covered employees who work beyond statutory hours or thresholds.
23. 23. Reasonable accommodationModifications or adjustments for qualified individuals with disabilities or for religious practices unless it causes undue hardship to the employer.
24. 24. Retaliation protectionsLegal safeguards that prohibit adverse actions against employees who complain about unlawful practices or participate in investigations.
25. 25. Pre-offer vs post-offer screening distinctionsThe difference in permissible questions and checks before and after making a conditional job offer.
26. 26. Confidentiality and Nondisclosure BasicsThe role and limits of confidentiality agreements and NDAs in protecting legitimate business interests during and after employment.
27. 27. Recordkeeping obligations (basic)Fundamental requirements to retain certain employment records and why accurate records matter for compliance.
28. 28. Privacy and candidate data protectionPrinciples for collecting, storing, and disposing of candidate personal data in a way that respects privacy and legal limits.
29. 29. Whistleblower basicsProtections and common definitions for employees who report illegal or unsafe employer conduct in good faith.