Academic Calendar 2023-2024

Employment Relations (EMPR)

EMPR 100  Introduction to Employment Relations  Units: 3.00  

This is a survey course designed to introduce students to contemporary challenges and the primary academic fields in the study and practice of employment relations: Human Resource Management, Organizational Behaviour, Labour Relations, Negotiations and Conflict Resolution, Labour and Employment Law, and Workplace and Labour Market Policies.

Learning Hours: 120 (24 Lecture, 12 Tutorial, 12 Online Activity, 72 Private Study)  
Requirements: Prerequisite None.  
Offering Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Science  
EMPR 110  Workplace Communication and Interpersonal Skills  Units: 3.00  

This first year course introduces students to the critical interpersonal competencies and communication skills required in contemporary workplaces. Students will gain and apply knowledge of foundational theories in communication and organizational behaviour to develop their professional written, oral, and interpersonal skills.
NOTE Also offered online, consult Arts and Science Online (Learning Hours may vary).

Learning Hours: 120 (36 Lecture, 12 Group Learning, 12 Online Activity, 60 Private Study)  
Requirements: Prerequisite None. Exclusion COMM 105/3.0.  
Offering Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Science  
EMPR 200  Unions and Labour Relations  Units: 3.00  

This is an introductory course which focuses on the key factors which shape work and employment relations in Canada. Topics covered include aspects of labour and employment law, labour relations, human resources management, human behaviour in organizations, and labour markets and labour policies that govern workplace relations.
NOTE Only offered online. Consult Arts and Science Online.

Learning Hours: 120 (72 Online Activity, 48 Private Study)  
Requirements: Prerequisite Level 2 or above.  
Offering Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Science  
EMPR 210  Employment Law  Units: 3.00  

This introductory course will provide students a foundation to understand employment law in Canada. The course will examine the principles of employment law with a primary focus on current provincial and federal legislation affecting human resource management in a non-unionized setting.
NOTE Only offered online. Consult Arts and Science Online.

Learning Hours: 120 (60 Online Activity, 60 Private Study)  
Requirements: Prerequisite Level 2 or above. Exclusion LAW 203/3.0; LAW 560/4.0; LAW 567/3.0.  
Offering Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Science  
EMPR 220  Conflict Management  Units: 3.00  

This course provides an overview of conflict, with a focus on developing the analytical, interpersonal, and communication skills necessary to manage conflict in the workplace. Specifically, it examines the reasons that conflict arises, and how to productively manage conflict across levels (between people, within groups, and between groups).
NOTE Only offered online. Consult Arts and Science Online.

Learning Hours: 120 (48 Online Activity, 72 Private Study)  
Requirements: Prerequisite Level 2 or above.  
Offering Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Science  
EMPR 230  Human Resource Management  Units: 3.00  

This course will provide an overview of the key components of an effective organizational human resource management system, running the spectrum from recruitment and selection practices that ensure that an organization is staffed appropriately, to management approaches aimed at bringing out the best in employees once hired.
NOTE Only offered online, consult Arts and Science Online (Learning Hours may vary).

Learning Hours: 120 (72 Online Activity, 48 Private Study)  
Requirements: Prerequisite Level 2 or above. Exclusion COMM 181/3.0. Note This course is not open to Commerce students.  
Offering Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Science  
EMPR 240  Workplace Policies and Governance  Units: 3.00  

The accelerating pace of market, economic, and technological change present many challenges to modern Canadian workplaces. This course examines how employers, employees, and governments seek to resolve workplace problems. By enacting workplace policies, it is hoped that workplaces maximize productivity while delivering fairness to its workforce.
NOTE Only offered online, consult Arts and Science Online (Learning Hours may vary).

Learning Hours: 120 (72 Online Activity, 48 Private Study)  
Requirements: Prerequisite Level 2 or above.  
Offering Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Science  
EMPR 250  Managing Workplace Health, Safety, and Wellness  Units: 3.00  

This course introduces students to employment relations practices and legislative frameworks related to workplace health and wellness. The course examines roles and responsibilities of employers, employees, and unions in occupational health and safety. Students will explore efforts to address stress and promote wellness, including mental health.

Learning Hours: 120 (36 Lecture, 84 Private Study)  
Requirements: Prerequisite Level 2 or above.  
Offering Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Science  
EMPR 260  Advancing Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in the Workplace  Units: 3.00  

The course considers the workplace policies, laws, and human resource management and labour relations practices that advance equity and diversity in the workplace. This course examines the nature and extent of diversity in the Canadian labour force and the implications for establishing and supporting equitable, diverse and productive workforces.
NOTE Only offered online, consult Arts and Science Online.

Learning Hours: 120 (72 Online Activity, 48 Private Study)  
Requirements: Prerequisite Level 2 or above.  
Offering Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Science  
EMPR 270  Introduction to Organizational Behaviour  Units: 3.00  

This in an introductory survey course of theory and research on individual and group processes (including personality, motivation, communication, and leadership), as well as structural and economic forces (including organizational design, power relations, inter-organizational ties, social norms, and laws) that shape the contemporary workplace.
NOTE Also offered online, consult Arts and Science Online (Learning Hours may vary).

Learning Hours: 120 (36 Lecture, 84 Private Study)  
Requirements: Prerequisite Level 2 or above. Exclusion COMM 151/3.0; COMM 251/3.0.  
Offering Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Science  
EMPR 280  Finance and Accounting for HR Professionals  Units: 3.00  

This course focuses on the fundamentals of accounting in the operations of the business, the type of information presented in financial statements, and the importance of accounting in relation to HR and employment relations. The course is designed to provide a foundation for HR professionals and other non-financial managers.

Learning Hours: 120 (72 Online Activity, 48 Private Study)  
Requirements: Prerequisite Level 2 or above. Exclusion COMM 111/3.0; COMM 112/3.0; COMM 211/3.0; COMM 212/3.0; COMM 221/3.0.  
Offering Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Science  
EMPR 300  Topics in Labour Relations  Units: 3.00  

The content of this seminar will vary across term and instructor. Topic areas will address issues central to the nature of unionization and may include one of the following: union organizing, collective agreement administration, and the role of labour within the larger social, political, and environmental context. Through course readings, case studies, group work, and independent exercises, students will learn about the role unions play in shaping work-related policies, legislation, and the nature of work itself.
NOTE This course is repeatable for credit under different topic titles.
NOTE Commerce and Law students should consult their home faculty before registering in this course.

Learning Hours: 120 (36 Seminar, 12 Group Learning, 12 Online Activity, 60 Private Study)  
Requirements: Prerequisite EMPR 200/3.0.  
Offering Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Science  
EMPR 310  Topics in Labour and Employment Law  Units: 3.00  

Topics in Labour and Employment law will provide students with insight into contemporary issues relevant to the study and practice of labour and employment law. Topics and content will vary across terms and instructors. Potential subjects to be covered may include human rights and workplace discrimination, legal aspects of occupational health and safety, and legislation around workplace disability and accommodation.
NOTE This course is repeatable for credit under different topic titles.
NOTE Commerce and Law students should consult their home faculty before registering in this course.

Learning Hours: 120 (36 Lecture, 12 Group Learning, 12 Online Activity, 60 Private Study)  
Requirements: Prerequisite EMPR 210/3.0.  
Offering Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Science  
EMPR 320  Negotiation Skills  Units: 3.00  

This course introduces students to the various models of mediation used in the modern workplace to resolve conflicts, as well as a variety of other emerging alternative dispute resolution (ADR) processes. Students are introduced to the theory, process, and practice of workplace mediation.

Learning Hours: 120 (36 Lecture, 84 Private Study)  
Requirements: Prerequisite EMPR 200/3.0 or EMPR 220/3.0.  
Offering Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Science  
EMPR 330  Strategic HR Management: Building High Performance Workplaces  Units: 3.00  

High performance work systems (HPWS) refer to a series of interrelated practices in the management of human resources. In this course, students will learn how to design, implement, and manage a variety of high performance work practices in accordance with organizational strategy and culture.

Learning Hours: 120 (36 Lecture, 84 Private Study)  
Requirements: Prerequisite EMPR 230/3.0.  
Offering Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Science  
EMPR 331  Compensation  Units: 3.00  

Compensation, including direct wages, indirect payments, and employee benefits, is studied in the context of economic and motivational theory, and from the point of view of practice. Topics include strategic perspectives on pay, pay equity legislation, internal equity and alignment of pay structures, external competitiveness, pay for performance.

Learning Hours: 120 (36 Lecture, 84 Private Study)  
Requirements: Prerequisite EMPR 200/3.0 or EMPR 210/3.0 or EMPR 230/3.0.  
Offering Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Science  
EMPR 334  Topics in Human Resource Management  Units: 3.00  

Human resource (HR) management is an increasingly strategic, evidence-based profession. This topics seminar explores evidence-based HR practice as it relates to functions throughout the HR lifecycle. Subject matter will vary depending on semester and instructor and may include topics such as: workforce planning, employee recruitment, selection, onboarding, training, performance management, and compensation. Students will also have an opportunity to learn about the role human resource management plays in rapidly changing and increasingly diverse workplaces.
NOTE This course is repeatable for credit under different topic titles.
NOTE Commerce and Law students should consult their home faculty before registering in this course.

Learning Hours: 120 (36 Lecture, 12 Group Learning, 12 Online Activity, 60 Private Study)  
Requirements: Prerequisite EMPR 230/3.0.  
Offering Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Science  
EMPR 335  Leadership and Employee Motivation  Units: 3.00  

There is increasing recognition of the critical role of managers in shaping key employee attitudes (job satisfaction, motivation, and engagement), with important effects for organizational performance. Students will explore a range of theories and practices that are demonstrated drivers of employee attitudes and organizational success.

Learning Hours: 120 (36 Lecture, 84 Private Study)  
Requirements: Prerequisite EMPR 200/3.0 or EMPR 230/3.0.  
Offering Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Science  
EMPR 360  Topics in Workplace Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Indigeneity  Units: 3.00  

This special topics course focuses on issues central to equity, diversity, inclusion and indigeneity (EDII) in the workplace. Students will learn about contemporary demographic trends influencing organizations, evidence-based strategies for promoting EDII goals, and the impact equitable and diverse working conditions have on both individual and organizational outcomes. Course content will vary across terms but may cover such topics as: structural racism and employment relations, disability, accommodations and human rights, Indigenous knowledge, identity, reconciliation and work, and managing identity at work.
NOTE This course is repeatable for credit under different topic titles.
NOTE Commerce and Law students should consult their home faculty before registering in this course.

Learning Hours: 120 (36 Lecture, 12 Group Learning, 12 Online Activity, 60 Private Study)  
Requirements: Prerequisite EMPR 260/3.0.  
Offering Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Science  
EMPR 370  Human Resource Analytics  Units: 3.00  

This course introduces students to the foundational logic, metrics, analysis, and interpretation needed to link human resource practices to broader indicators of business strategy and organizational performance. Students will learn to gather, analyze, and interpret HR metrics to make better decisions about managing people in organizations.

Learning Hours: 120 (24 Lecture, 24 Group Learning, 12 Online Activity, 60 Private Study)  
Requirements: Prerequisite 3.0 units in EMPR at the 200-level.  
Offering Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Science  
EMPR 375  Topics in Organizational Behaviour  Units: 3.00  

Organizational behavior is the study of human behavior in organizational settings, including the interaction between people, the organization, and the environment. Students will learn about the issues that influence people at work, including but not limited to: the theory and practice of leading and managing teams, organizational change and development, drivers of various work attitudes, and employee health and well-being. The specific topic and content of this course will change depending on term and instructor.
NOTE This course is repeatable for credit under different topic titles.
NOTE Commerce and Law students should consult their home faculty before registering in this course.

Learning Hours: 120 (36 Lecture, 12 Group Learning, 12 Online Activity, 60 Private Study)  
Requirements: Prerequisite EMPR 270/3.0.  
Offering Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Science