The employment relationship is one of the foundations upon which modern society and the greater economy is built, but the nature of this relationship can be both complex and confusing. This course seeks to demystify the ways that U.S. contract law principles govern the fundamental relationship between employers and employees.
We begin by examining the default rule of at-will employment that applies to most U.S. employment relationships, and we then consider the necessary elements required to create a binding employment relationship. We also explore how courts interpret the content of employment agreements as well as what factors courts consider in awarding damages when an employment agreement is breached. Finally, we take a deeper dive into employment-related agreements such as non-disclosure agreements, non-disparagement agreements, and mandatory arbitration clauses, and how the law has evolved to keep up with the changing nature of the fundamental employment relationship.
Status: Labor Law
Labor Law
Status: Compensation Management
Compensation Management
Intermediate·Course·11 hours
Featured reviews
5.0
·Reviewed Apr 2, 2024
Informational and applicable to current market conditions.
5.0
·Reviewed Nov 15, 2022
This course provided a lot of valuable information about employment contracts in an easily understandable way.
5.0
·Reviewed Apr 22, 2026
Great course! Loved how the concepts were taught using stories about real cases!
5.0
·Reviewed Aug 20, 2024
Good coverage of US employment contracts, with a mix of theory and examples.
5.0
·Reviewed Sep 7, 2025
So glad i took this course, it really helped me understand better employment contracts.
All reviews
Showing: 17 of 17
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S
Steven
5.0
·Reviewed May 18, 2022
As a non-attorney, this course helped me to understand the aspects of employee contracting. The information presented was challenging but understandable. More case studies might be helpful to students. I would recommend this course to non-attorneys wanting to learn more and to attorneys who would like a refresher course.
D
David
5.0
·Reviewed Jun 25, 2023
Enormemente agradecido por el soporte de Coursera al permitirme conocer y gozar de todo el curso. Gracias a la profesora y a Penn por hacer un curso breve y puntual sobre algunas de las características y temas más interesantes del derecho laboral estadounidense. Un gran abrazo, e invito de todo corazón a que hagan este curso!
L
leeda
5.0
·Reviewed Nov 2, 2024
this course was really useful for me , the course add a knew knowledge in employment and labor law and regulation and cover all the legal aspects of employee issues , as well as how the US Law make a balance between the both interests of employer and employee.
A
Ashley
5.0
·Reviewed Jun 24, 2023
Fantastic! The lectures were interesting and informative. The professor presents the course material in an engaging way that makes you want to keep listening. I would love to see more courses from this professor.
J
Jason
5.0
·Reviewed Nov 16, 2022
This course provided a lot of valuable information about employment contracts in an easily understandable way.
W
Walter
5.0
·Reviewed Sep 8, 2025
So glad i took this course, it really helped me understand better employment contracts.
M
Melissa
5.0
·Reviewed Apr 23, 2026
Great course! Loved how the concepts were taught using stories about real cases!
A
Abhinav
5.0
·Reviewed Aug 20, 2024
Good coverage of US employment contracts, with a mix of theory and examples.
J
Jakob
5.0
·Reviewed Apr 3, 2024
Informational and applicable to current market conditions.