Faculty of Arts & Science 2015-2016 Calendar

Employment Relations, Centre for Industrial Relations and Human Resources

• Employment Relations Specialist | Employment Relations Major
• Employment Relations Courses

Faculty

Since 1965, the Centre for Industrial Relations and Human Resources has brought together professors from many different disciplines and departments at the University of Toronto to teach and conduct research on all aspects of work, the workplace, labour markets and labour relations.  The CIRHR’s graduate programs rank among the best in North America and its faculty reflects the depth, breadth and diversity of our university. 

In 2013, the undergraduate Employment Relations and Human Resources Certificate programs became integrated with the graduate programs at the Centre for Industrial Relations and Human Resources.  The continuing close relationship between the Centre and Woodsworth College helps to foster ongoing academic excellence for students enrolled in the Employment Relations program as they continue to benefit from the rich academic support services and facilities available at the College.  Woodsworth College remains the home of the Undergraduate Program Office and the Employment Relations Students' Association (ERSA).

The overarching goal of the undergraduate program in Employment Relations is to offer an interdisciplinary learning opportunity in which to study the ‘world of work and employment’ in a Canadian and global context from the perspectives of economics, history, law, management, political science, psychology and sociology.  The program provides students with a theoretical background and knowledge of current developments in the field that will serve as a basis for careers in employment relations such as: a Human Resources Generalist, Recruitment Specialist, HR Consultant, Employment Equity Officer, Training and Development Consultant, Corporate Trainer, Policy Advisor in the Ministry of Labour, Union Representative and Labour Relations Specialist. The undergraduate degree in Employment Relations is also a perfect platform from which to enter post-graduate programs in Industrial Relations and Human Resources, Law with a specialisation in labour and employment,as well as policy and labour studies programs.

Students are encouraged to use the resources available in both the CIRHR Library and Career Centre in order to investigate current labour market trends and career options in Employment Relations.    Students are also encouraged to explore the services offered by the Human Resources Professionals Association (HRPA) which is Canada’s HR thought leader and the largest HR association in the country.   In Ontario, HRPA regulates the HR profession and issues the Certified Human Resources Professional (CHRP) designation, the national standard for excellence in human resources management.  All of the course work requirements needed for CHRP are offered in the Employment Relations program.  

Detailed information on program requirements, application forms for IRE395/396/397 and other useful resources can be found on the Program Office website.

Program Office | Woodsworth College
119 St. George Street - Room 236 | Toronto ON M5S 1A9
416.978.5783
er@utoronto.ca
www.wdw.utoronto.ca

ERSA | Woodsworth College
119 St. George Street - Room 18 Bsmt | Toronto ON M5S 1A9
ersa.utoronto@gmail.com

HRPA | 150 Bloor St E #200 | Toronto, ON M4W 3E2
416.923.2324
http://www.hrpa.ca

Employment Relations Programs

Program Admission:
This is a limited enrolment program that can only accommodate a limited number of students.  Achieving the minimum mark thresholds does not guarantee admission to the Employment Relations specialist in any given year.

Requests for admission will be considered in the first subject POSt request period only.   Eligibility will be based on a student’s mark in the required courses listed below. The precise mark thresholds outlined below are an estimate of what will be required in the 2015 subject POSt admission cycle.  

Applying after first year:  Students may apply to this subject POSt after completion of at least four full-course equivalents which must include the following:  ECO100Y1(67%)/ECO105Y1(80%) and SOC101Y1(70%)/1.0 FCE (70% average) from SOC102H1/SOC103H1/PSY100H1.

Applying after second or third year:  ECO100Y1(67%)/ECO105Y1(80%) and 1.0 FCE (75% average) SOC200+ level course. 

Note: It may take up to three years to complete this program.  Do not change your program of study if you are required to complete your degree within four years as course prerequisites and program requirements will not be waived.  

Backup plan:  Due to the limited enrolment nature of this program students are strongly advised to enrol in a backup program or programs.

Request Period:
There is one request period only (April 1 - May 25).  Application is made on-line using the Type 3 application form (not ROSI).   The subject POSt code for the specialist program is ASSPE1535.

How to enrol in Type 3 subject POSts:
Step 1: apply to the Type 3 subject POSt during round 1 (April 1 - May 25) using the Type 3 Application Form
Step 2: enrol in a backup program or programs (April 1 - May 25)
Step 3:  on July 2 check the SWS to see if the department has given you an "invitation" to enrol 
Step 4: accept the invitation to enrol on the SWS (deadline to accept is August 6)

For detailed information and instructions see Subject POSt Enrolment.

Program Requirements:
These requirements apply to students admitted to the Specialist program in 2015.

10.0 FCEs including at least 4.0 FCEs at the 300+ level including 1.0 FCE with the IRE course designator and 1.0 FCE at the 400-level.   Each course requirement is individual and cannot be used more than once.  A course taken on a CR/NCR basis may not be used to satisfy program requirements.

1. ECO100Y1/ECO105Y1 and SOC101Y1 (or 1.0 FCE from SOC102H1/SOC103H1/PSY100H1)
2. All of IRE240H1, IRE244H1, IRE260H1, IRE339H1, IRE430Y1
3. 1.0 FCE from Group A
4. At least 1.0 FCE from Group B
5. 0.5 FCE from Group C and D
6. Additional courses (excluding those already counted) from Groups C and D for a total of 10.0 FCEs.
7. Students may only take 1.0 Independent Study FCE and 1.0 Research Participation FCE toward their program requirements.

Group A:
ECO321Y1/HIS263Y1/POL214Y1

Group B: 
ECO220Y1/ IRE379H1/PSY201H1/PSY202H1/SOC200H1/SOC202H1

Group C:
IRE444H1/IRE446H1/IRE447H1/IRE472H1

Group D: 
GGR221H1/HIS313H1/INI300H1/IRE332Y0/IRE344H1/IRE345H1/IRE346H1/IRE347H1/IRE348H1/IRE349H1/IRE367H1/IRE378H1/IRE395H1/IRE395Y1/IRE396H1/IRE397Y1/IRE432Y0/IRE493H1/IRE494H1/JGI216H1/MGT201H1/RSM222H1/RSM361H1/RSM392H1/RSM461H1/RSM464H1/SOC207H1/SOC317Y1/SOC366H1/SOC367H1/SOC439H1

Note: 

1. Students who have completed ECO239Y/339Y as part of their ECO subject post may request to have the course counted toward the Employment Relations Specialist program.  Please email your request to er@utoronto.ca
   
   
2. Some courses offered by other departments may be available only to students who have completed specified prerequisites or who are enrolled in a subject POSt sponsored by the department offering the course.  Course enrolment conditions are listed in the "Enrolment Indicator" and "Enrolment Controls" columns in the Arts and Science timetable.  Course descriptions, prerequisites, corequisites and exclusions are listed in the Calendar.

Program Admission:
This is a limited enrolment program that can only accommodate a limited number of students.  Achieving the minimum mark thresholds does not guarantee admission to the Employment Relations major in any given year.  Requests for admission will be considered in the first subject POSt request period only.  Eligibility will be based on a student’s mark in the required courses listed below. The precise mark thresholds outlined below are an estimate of what will be required in the 2015 subject POSt admission cycle.  

Applying after first year:  Students may apply to this subject POSt after completion of at least four full-course equivalents which must include the following:  ECO100Y1 (or ECO105Y1) and SOC101Y1 (or 1.0 FCE from:  SOC102H1/SOC103H1/PSY100H1).  It is expected that a combined average of 65% will be required for admission in 2015.

Applying after second or third year:  Admission will be determined by a student’s mark in ECO100Y1 (or ECO105Y1) and 1.0 FCE  SOC200+ level course. It is expected that a combined average of 70% will be required for admission in 2015. 

Note: It may take a little over two years to complete this program.  Do not change your program of study if you are required to complete your degree within four years as prerequisites and program requirements will not be waived.  

Advanced Notice:  It is expected that the above admission requirements will remain the same in 2016.

Backup plan:  Due to the limited enrolment nature of this program students are strongly advised to enrol in a in a backup program or programs.

Request Period:
There is one request period only (April 1 - May 25).  Application is made on-line using the Type 3 application form (not ROSI).   The subject POSt code for the major program is ASMAJ1535.

How to enrol in Type 3 subject POSts:
Step 1: apply to the Type 3 subject POSt during round 1 (April 1 - May 25) using the Type 3 Application Form
Step 2: enrol in a backup program or programs (April 1 - May 25)
Step 3: on July 2 check the SWS to see if the department has given you an "invitation" to enrol
Step 4: accept the invitation to enrol on the SWS (deadline to accept is August 6)

For detailed information and instructions see Subject POSt Enrolment.

Program Requirements:
These requirements apply to  students admitted to the Employment Relations major in 2015.

7.0 FCEs including at least 2.0 FCEs at the 300+ level, 0.5 of which must be at the 400-level.   Each course requirement is individual and cannot be used more than once.  A course taken on a CR/NCR basis may not be used to satisfy program requirements.

First Year:
ECO100Y1 (or ECO105Y1) and SOC101Y (or 1 FCE from:  SOC102H1/SOC103H1/PSY100H1)

Higher Years:
1. All of IRE240H1, IRE244H1, IRE260H1, IRE430Y1
2. At least 0.5 "IRE" 300-level course from Group A
3. Additional courses from Groups A or B (excluding courses already counted) for a total of 7.0 FCEs

Note:  Students may only take 1.0 Independent Study FCE and 1.0 Research Participation FCE toward their program requirements.

Group A: 
IRE339H1/IRE346H1/IRE347H1/IRE348H1/IRE367H1/ /IRE378H1/IRE379H1

Group B:
ECO220Y1/GGR221H1/HIS313H1/INI300H1/IRE332Y0/IRE344H1/IRE345H1/IRE349H1/IRE395H1/IRE395Y1/IRE396H1/IRE397Y1/IRE432Y0/IRE444H1/IRE446H1/IRE447H1/IRE472H1/IRE493H1/IRE494H1 /JGI216H1/MGT201H1/PSY201H1/PSY202H1/RSM222H1/RSM361H1/RSM392H1/RSM464H1/RSM461H1/SOC200H1/SOC202H1/SOC207H1/SOC317Y1/SOC366H1/SOC367H1/SOC439H1/

Note: 

1. Students who have completed ECO239Y/339Y as part of their ECO subject post may request to have the course counted in the Group B category.  Please email your request to er@utoronto.ca.
   
   
2. Some courses offered by other departments may be available only to students who have completed specified prerequisites or who are enrolled in a subject POSt sponsored by the department offering the course.  Course enrolment conditions are listed in the "Enrolment Indicator" and "Enrolment Controls" columns in the Arts and Science timetable.  Course descriptions, prerequisites, corequisites and exclusions are listed in the Calendar.

Employment Relations Courses

Not all courses are offered every year.  Please check the timetable for the list of current course offerings.  Students without course prerequisites will be removed at any time they are discovered.  Course enrolment conditions are listed in the "Enrolment Indicator" and "Enrolment Controls" columns in the Arts and Science timetable.  Course descriptions, prerequisites, corequisites and exclusions are listed below.. 

An introduction to the study of the world of work and employment, the history and development of employment relations, its central theories and concepts; the behaviours, outcomes, practices and institutions that emerge from or affect the employment relationship; contemporary issues and comparative employment relations systems.

Introduction to the institutions, issues and legislation affecting the employment relationship in the public and private sectors in Canada, with emphasis on collective bargaining. The economic and political environment, history of the labour movement, union organization, certification, contract negotiation, strikes, dispute resolution, contract administration and grievances.

Introduction to the nature of organizations and the behaviour of individuals and groups within organizations, including topics such as culture and diversity, reward systems, motivation, leadership, politics, communication, decision-making, conflict and group processes. Not recommended for students in Commerce programs.

Topics in Employment Relations offered in an international setting. The content may vary from year to year.  For more information check the Summer Abroad website.

This course is designed to provide students in the Employment Relations program with knowledge of how the labour market affects the employment relationship. The basic tools of labour economics are developed and applied to various issues of organizational and government policy such as: the incentive effects of compensation arrangements, government income support programs, and minimum wage policy; the determinants of preferences for hours of work including job-sharing, overtime and retirement; the impacts of unions on compensation and productivity; public-sector employment and alternatives to the right to strike; discrimination in employment on the basis of gender and race as well as related government policies such as pay and employment equity.
Note:  IRE339H1 will not count towards an ECO subject post.

Topics vary from year to year, but the objective of the course is to discuss current employment relations issues and their economic, legal, political and social implications.

Topics vary from year to year, but the objective of the course is to discuss current employment relations issues and their economic, legal, political and social implications. 

An understanding is developed of how essential elements of the human resource planning process support organizational goals and strategies. Topics such as environmental influences, job analysis, forecasting human resource needs and ascertaining supply, succession planning, downsizing and restructuring, mergers and acquisitions, outsourcing, and strategic international issues are examined.

The role of training and development initiatives in organizations. Students acquire the knowledge and skills to conduct a training needs assessment, identify training objectives, explore strategies to increase the transfer of training, design and deliver a training activity using various training methodologies, and evaluate its effectiveness.

The principles, legal issues, and emerging trends affecting the recruitment process and selection of staff in organizations.  Development of recruitment strategies, assessment of applications for employment, interviewing candidates, and the role of testing and measurement of competencies in making hiring decisions.

Topics vary from year to year, but the objective of the course is to discuss current employment relations issues and their economic, legal, political and social implications. 

The theory and process of developing and administering compensation systems. Through the core compensation principles of efficiency, equity, consistency and competitiveness we consider such topics as: job analysis, job evaluation, pay levels and structures, pay for performance, benefits, and compensating special groups of workers.

The influence of legislation, the labour market and collective bargaining on health policies and programs in the workplace. The rights and responsibilities of employers, employees, unions and governments for the regulation and promotion of workplace health and safety; and the implications of evolving demographic, economic, and social factors.

An introduction to fundamental quantitative and qualitative research methods to enable students to critically evaluate and conduct research in the labour field.  The class will explore data-driven, analytical approaches to managing human resources using basic metrics, analysis, and interpretation of information that link human resource initiatives to various indicators of organizational performance.

Independent study under the direction of a faculty member.  Open only when a faculty member is willing and available to supervise. Application form is due one week before the start of term. Consult the program website for additional information. Not eligible for CR/NCR option.

Independent study under the direction of a faculty member.  Open only when a faculty member is willing and available to supervise. Application form is due one week before the start of term. Consult the program website for additional information. Not eligible for CR/NCR option.

Credit course for supervised participation in a faculty research project. Offered only when a faculty member is willing and available to supervise. Consult the program website for additional information. Not eligible for CR/NCR option.

Credit course for supervised participation in a faculty research project. Offered only when a faculty member is willing and available to supervise. Consult the program website for additional information. Not eligible for CR/NCR option.

The major legal structures which regulate the employment relationship in the public and private sectors: the common law of contract (master/servant law), legislation governing collective bargaining, the primary statutes (Employment Standards Act, Labour Relations Act, Occupational Health and Safety Act, Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, and the Human Rights Code).

Advanced topics in Employment Relations offered in an international setting. The content may vary from year to year.   Offered by the Professional & International Programs Office.

An advanced seminar examining contemporary issues in the employment relations and human resources field. Topics vary from year to year, but the objective of the course is to discuss current issues and their economic, legal and social implications.

This course examines the various elements of the consulting process and the interpersonal skills required to build trust, influence others, contract with clients, and establish and maintain strong working relationships.   This seminar may include a compulsory learning format component using a service-learning placement with a community-based agency or organization.  Consult the current timetable for details.

An advanced seminar exploring significant developments in organizations, and the challenges and opportunities facing professionals in the employment relations field. Emphasis is placed on developing problem solving and critical thinking skills and examining theories and concepts of employment relations.

Resolving conflicts constructively is a challenge faced by all organizations and most individuals. This course will cover fundamentals of the negotiation process and conflict resolution. This course will apply multiple cases and simulations providing students with several opportunities to build their skills.

Advanced topics vary from year to year, but the objective of the course is to explore theories, concepts and emerging issues in Employment Relations and their impact on internal and external environments.

Advanced topics vary from year to year, but the objective of the course is to explore theories, concepts and emerging issues in Employment Relations and their impact on internal and external environments.