Labor Law
Individual labor law
Know the protective nature of labor law: the employee is the weaker party, and statutory rights cannot be waived to the employee's detriment. Understand the employment contract, the distinction between employee and independent contractor (the "integration" and "subordination" tests), working hours, overtime, rest days, annual leave, sick leave, and severance pay. Trap: misclassification as a contractor does not defeat employee rights; the substance of the relationship controls.
Termination
Know the requirement of a hearing before dismissal, the protection of pregnant employees, and the rules on collective dismissals. Understand severance pay (one month per year of service) and the effect of a pension arrangement that replaces it.
Collective labor law
Know the right to organize, collective agreements, and the rules on strikes and lockouts.
Worked rule of thumb
For any labor question: (1) employee or contractor; (2) which statute applies; (3) was the required procedure followed; (4) what is the remedy (reinstatement, compensation, severance)?