---
esco_uri: http://data.europa.eu/esco/skill/97b713f0-b9e8-4903-8dee-7e0b4019a1c0
esco_label: "employment law"
relation: essential
onet_soc: 13-1071.00
source: stackexchange
confidence: high
qa_count: 5
generator: gemma3:27b (prompt-designed and spot-checked by Claude)
generated: 2026-07-10
---

# employment law — Recruiter

As a Recruiter, 'Employment Law' competence isn’t about *being* an employment lawyer – it’s about understanding enough to avoid legal landmines during the entire candidate lifecycle. Daily this means knowing basic rights around fair hiring practices (avoiding discriminatory questions, ensuring equal opportunity), lawful contract terms (especially regarding compensation and benefits promises - even verbal ones can be binding!), and proper classification of workers (employee vs contractor – a huge risk area). You'll use this knowledge when crafting job descriptions, interviewing, negotiating offers, and handling candidate queries about their rights. Think 'risk mitigation' rather than legal expertise.

## Praxiswissen (Stack Exchange, CC-BY-SA 4.0)

**A junior programmer in Slovakia completed a feature taking twice the estimated time and their employer is refusing payment, citing the overestimation as justification despite being aware of the slower pace throughout development.**

In EU countries like Slovakia, employers must pay for work performed by an employee regardless of whether initial estimates are met. Focusing on the fact that employment occurred – and therefore compensation is due – is more effective than debating the reasons for time spent. This situation also suggests a potentially hostile work environment and highlights the importance of understanding labor laws to protect oneself.

*Source: [Employer doesn't want to pay me because I took longer than estimated to finish t](https://workplace.stackexchange.com/q/91400) — answer by gnasher729, CC-BY-SA 4.0*

**The asker is being asked by a former employer to fix a bug in code written during an internship, over a year after the contract ended, while now employed full-time elsewhere.**

Once employment ends, responsibility for maintaining or fixing past work shifts to the employer. While it's commendable to want to help, offering free assistance can devalue your professional skills and potentially create conflicts with your current job. It’s acceptable to politely decline or propose a paid contract, but always prioritize transparency with your present employer before taking on additional work.

*Source: [My previous employer has asked me to fix a bug in code that I wrote for them](https://workplace.stackexchange.com/q/120952) — answer by MikeQ, CC-BY-SA 4.0*

**An individual asked whether a company’s promise to cover travel expenses for a job interview is legally binding, especially if the company cancels reimbursement after the candidate has already traveled. The question centers on enforceability without a formal written contract.**

Even without a formal contract, a verbal or clearly communicated promise to reimburse travel costs *is* generally enforceable once the candidate relies on that promise and begins traveling. A company cannot simply revoke this offer mid-journey; doing so constitutes a breach of contract. However, the agreement can be voided if the candidate knowingly proceeded despite being informed the reimbursement was cancelled, or if they misrepresented themselves (like lying on their resume).

*Source: [If a company agrees to pay travel cost for a job interview, is the promise bindi](https://law.stackexchange.com/q/36259) — answer by Iñaki Viggers, CC-BY-SA 4.0*

**The freelancer is being asked by a client to participate in an illegal scam, and the client is threatening to withhold payment for completed work if they refuse. They are concerned about both losing money *and* enabling harm to potential victims.**

Prioritize ethical conduct and personal/legal protection above recovering potentially lost funds. Thoroughly document all evidence of the planned scam as it can be used both to prevent the crime and support a claim for payment. Seeking legal counsel is crucial to navigate this situation safely and effectively, ensuring you are shielded from potential repercussions while pursuing rightful compensation.

*Source: [Client wants me to do something explicitly illegal](https://workplace.stackexchange.com/q/148483) — answer by Sourav Ghosh, CC-BY-SA 4.0*

**An intern declined a full-time job offer after completing their internship, choosing instead to pursue further education and prioritize personal well-being. Their boss is now attempting to guilt-trip them into staying on longer than their contract requires to help with the transition.**

Prioritize your own needs and commitments, even when facing pressure from others. It's acceptable to firmly but politely push back against manipulative tactics that attempt to create obligation beyond what’s agreed upon. Remember you fulfilled your contractual obligations and are not responsible for managing their staffing issues; redirecting responsibility is a valid response. Ultimately, making difficult decisions aligned with long-term goals is sometimes necessary despite potential disappointment from others.

*Source: [Boss making me feel guilty for leaving the company at the end of my internship](https://workplace.stackexchange.com/q/138285) — answer by Keith, CC-BY-SA 4.0*

## Weitere Anreicherung

Stage-2 source for future practitioner grounding: CORE / DOAB (open-access HR & organisational research).
