Course 2026-2027 a.y.

The Course aims at providing a general introduction on the main elements of European Social Law in the different spheres of individual and collective labour issues, with some references also to Domestic and International Labour Law.

Some elements about the International Labour Standards and specific themes and material aspects of European Labour Law will be explored in more detail. These include: the Notion of worker, Freedom of Movement of Workers, Precarious employment and Platform work, Protection against Discrimination, Business Reorganization, Transfer of Undertakings and Collective bargaining at European level, to list but a few.

Where possible and useful, reference will also be made to the national systems of Labour Law of the EU Member States.

The essential topics will be addressed from an international, European, and comparative standpoint. 

• Understand the basic dynamics of labour relations;

• Aquire deep knowledge of the multilevel system of sources both at the national, EU and international level;

• Be able to read and analyse the relevant case law of the CJEU and of other supranational Courts and Bodies.

- Interpret and integrate labour law alongside other pertinent legal fields such as private, corporate, and competition law;

- Understand the influence of international labour law and EU social law in regulating labour relationships;

- Recognize and evaluate the emerging trends revolutionizing the modern work environment.

• Lectures
• Collaborative Works / Assignments

In general, all students are always expected to read and come prepared to discuss the readings and cases previously made available by the Instructor, to think about a number of legal questions before the lesson and to participate actively in class discussion.

Students who decide to take the exam as ATTENDING STUDENTS are required to:

a)        attend at least 75% of the classes.

b)         At the very beginning of the course, form on a voluntary basis a group of 3-5 students, that will work together on different assignments.

The final grade for attending students is based on the following components: group assignments and an individual final exam.

The group assignments assess students' ability to apply labour and social law principles to practical cases, as well as their legal reasoning, analytical skills, and teamwork. The final exam evaluates students' knowledge and understanding of the core topics covered in the course, their ability to interpret legal sources, and their capacity for independent legal analysis.

The use of materials during the exams will not be permitted.

Students who do not attend the course and who do not wish to participate to the groups’ will be assessed on the sole basis of a written exam with 4 open questions (1h) about the contents of all reading materials and all papers and CJEU rulings uploaded on BBoard.

The final written exam is aimed at assessing students’ knowledge and understanding of the main concepts, principles and legal sources of labour and social law, as well as their ability to analyse and discuss legal issues on the basis of the reading materials, papers and CJEU rulings uploaded on BBoard.

The use of materials during the exams will not be permitted.

Materials uploaded by the Instructor on BlackBoard.

Handbooks:

Christina Hiessl, Basics on European Social Law, last edition available.

Adalberto Perulli, Vania Brino, Handbook of International Labour Law, last edition available.