LAW 873SEM - Contemporary Dynamics of Employment

Technologically driven forms of work have sparked a wave of regulatory challenges in many jurisdictions, including the United States. These regulatory challenges have led some academics and experts to raise concerns regarding the need to utilize employment and labor laws to protect participants of technologically driven forms of work. On the contrary, others have cautioned states not to unduly interfere with regulation in contemporary labor market, as such interference will inhibit innovation and creativity in this era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). With the proliferation of new forms of work, the nature, dynamics, and structure of labor markets are increasingly changing. Employment practices and work have also dramatically changed over the last two decades. Suffice it to say, questions remain whether existing labor norms/laws are sufficient and fit for purpose to address the increasingly complex changing dynamics of employment law. This course addresses broad topics on how technologically driven forms of employment in the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution have impacted employment practices and structures. Topics to be covered in this course will include: (1) The impact of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) in the world of work, (2) Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the workplace, (3) employees right of speech in a digital age, (4) Exploring the contours of employment relationship in the era of flexible and non-standard forms of employment, (5) Gig/platform work and the labyrinth of statutory regulation, (6) Collective representation and bargaining in the era of gig work, among others.

Credits: 3