Workers’ Rights for Workforce Development
Workers’ Rights for Workforce Development
The Workers’ Rights for Workforce Development Curriculum was developed by the Labor Education Program at the UIUC School of Labor and Employment Relations, in collaboration with the Center for Healthy Work.
This Curriculum was designed to be used by front-line workforce development staff to educate program participants about their rights as workers and strategies for protecting those rights. Although all workers are at risk of violations of employment and labor laws, workers in low-paid and precarious jobs are especially vulnerable to wage theft and other workers’ rights violations such as illegal discrimination and occupational health and safety hazards
The Curriculum can be implemented in a variety of ways and can be used in a multitude of settings. Units cover specific topics and areas of workers’ rights. Each unit has 6-9 lesson plans, accompanied by handouts, slide decks, readings, and activities. Lessons are designed to explore contemporary issues and trends in workers’ rights, as well as make connections to historical struggles.
The learning methods employed throughout are varied with an intention of making this subject matter accessible and impactful for a majority of American workers. Curriculum lessons are participatory and validate participants’ life experiences, helping them to develop both awareness and critical consciousness.