UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON LAW CENTER
Spring Semester 2016
HUMAN RESOURCES: ADVANCED ISSUES IN EMPLOYMENT LAW
Alison Sulentic, Adjunct Professor
alison.sulentic@sulenticlaw.com
832-794-0056
COURSE MATERIALS
Materials (including Problem Sets and Written Assignments) will be available on the TWEN website for
this class. Information about how to access the TWEN website will be provided during the first class.
Problem Sets will include (i) background materials and (ii) a fact pattern that sets forth a common
challenge for human resources professionals. Each Problem Set will require individual preparation for inclass group discussion.
Written Assignments will include similar materials, but will require an individual written product that will
be graded.
OFFICE HOURS BY APPOINTMENT
Please note that office hours are by appointment only. Please contact me via e-mail if you would like to
arrange an appointment to discuss issues pertaining to the course.
ATTENDANCE
This course is designed to be interactive and, as a group, we will expect and rely on active class
participation by all students. If you are unable to attend a class session, please e-mail me in advance at
the above address.
GRADES
Grades will be based on four Written Assignments (generally designed to be no more than 1,000 words in
length) due throughout the semester. Each Written Assignment will be weighted equally. Assignments
must be e-mailed to me at the above address before 8:00 p.m. on the due date. Be sure to identify your email by including “Written Assignment” in the subject line. There will be a penalty of one letter grade for
each day an assignment is late.
SYLLABUS
The timing and content of assignments on this syllabus may change as the course progresses. If you miss
a class, you should consult the TWEN website to confirm the next week’s assignment.
1
I.
Introduction – First Class
Initial Assignment: Before the first class, familiarize yourself with the SEC’s “Edgar” website
(http://www.sec.gov/edgar/searchedgar/webusers.htm#.VFj2iksk_nc ). Find two examples of
individual employment agreements filed by companies in different industries. Bring these to the
first class.
II.
III.
Individual Employment Agreements – General
A.
Problem Set 1 – Term Sheets and Negotiation
B.
Written Assignment 1 – Memorandum to Client (Due Date TBD)
Individual Employment Agreements – Non-Profit
A.
IV.
Agreements Regarding Confidentiality and Trade Secrets
A.
V.
VII.
Problem Set 4 – Dealing with the Inventive Employee
Compensation – Communicating about FLSA Issues
A.
Problem Set 5 – Exempt versus Non-Exempt Status
B.
Written Assignment 2 – Communicating a Change in FLSA Status (Due Date TBD)
Privacy
A.
VIII.
Problem Set 3 – Confidentiality Run Amok
Intellectual Property
A.
VI.
Problem Set 2 – Compensation in a Non-Profit Setting
Problem Set 6: Bring Your Own Device Audit
Employee Benefits
A.
Problem Set 7: How Not to Create an Employee Benefit Plan
B.
Problem Set 8: Summary Plan Descriptions
C.
Written Assignment 3 – Critiquing Employee Benefit Communications (Due Date
TBD)
2
IX.
Labor and Employment Issues in Corporate Transactions – Due Diligence
A.
X.
Labor and Employment Issues in Corporate Transactions – Drafting
A.
XI.
XIII.
Problem Set 10: Understanding and Negotiating Labor and Employment Terms in
Mergers and Acquisitions
Workplace Investigations
A.
XII.
Problem Set 9: What Do You Need to Know and How Are You Going to Find It?
Problem Set 11: Asking the Right Questions in the Right Way
Resolution of Workplace Problems
A.
Problem Set 12: Mediating an EEOC Claim
B.
Written Assignment 4 – Employer’s Response to a Complaint of Discrimination
(Due Date TBD)
Global Challenges for Multinational Corporations (April 29)
A.
Problem Set 13 – Terminating Employees in a Global Economy
3