Module Description:

The module Hospitality Laws and Ethics provides coverage on legal and ethical issues which concern the hospitality and tourism industry. Within the module, students learn the important laws and policies of the hospitality industry which includes contracts, legal liability, labor relations, health care and safety, consumer protection, and intellectual property. Students will also explore hospitality ethics such as responsible hospitality, sustainability, corporate social responsibility (CSR), and ethics with regard to a diverse clientele. The main aim of the module is to equip students with the appropriate legal and critical thinking skills to resolve issues of international hospitality and tourism, industry compliance, and legal frameworks of best practice (250 Hours).

Learning Outcomes:

Competences:

At the end of the module/unit the learner will have acquired the responsibility and autonomy to:

  • Legal frameworks pertaining to the hospitality industry necessitate legal skills for interpretation alongside contracts implementing pertaining to the industry.
  • Analysing the hospitality field, recognise and take action concerning ethical dilemmas.
  • Legal documentation relevant to the hospitality industry, including contracts and leases, necessitates specialised skills for interpretation and implementation.
  • Conceptualise the hospitality industry activities and outline legal risks for them, including strategies for risk mitigation.
  • Control conflict, compliance with the legal framework, and other legal bodies.
  • Policies integrating ethics at the operational and organisational levels of hospitality entities must be developed and consolidated.
  • Incorporate sustainability and ethical business conduct within the strategies of the hospitality industry.
  • Legal and ethical matters in the hospitality industry must be taught to, and the industry’s workforce trained on, appropriate frameworks.
  • Legal and ethical frameworks on the novelties to be incorporated in the hospitality industry at the organisational and product levels must be defended, adopted and advised.

Knowledge:

At the end of the module/unit the learner will have been exposed to the following:

  • Understanding difficulties and obstacles national and international hospitality laws and regulations pose.
  • Knowledge of sickness and health laws concerning hospitality practices.
  • Knowledge with contracts in hospitality services like contracts of services and lease contracts.
  • Knowledge of hospitality morals and ethical theories.
  • Knowledge with law covering protection of the individual, especially the law of privacy and data concerning the individual and consumer rights.
  • Knowledge of law of hospitality practices and the employees’ rights and obligations of the employer in hospitality.
  • Knowledge concerning hospitality practices and other laws like environmental law and law on sustainability.
  • Knowledge of law concerning the creation of hospitality practices and other branches of law like patent and copyright law.
  • Knowledge of hospitality practices and other laws like law of torts and other branches of law bearing torts connected with hospitality practices.

Skills:

At the end of the module/unit the learner will have acquired the following skills:

  • Competence in analysing legal documents and determining key legal matters.
  • Exercising sound judgment in resolving legal and ethical issues within the hospitality industry.
  • Interaction and communication for the purpose of instructing employees and customers on legal and ethical issues.
  • Maintaining current information on hospitality laws and ethics requires research.
  • Addressing legal and ethical disputes.
  • Ability to write and appraise contracts and agreements relevant to hospitality.
  • Ability to formulate and institute corporate social responsibility and ethics programmes.
  • Ability to identify and control compliance with legal and other relevant obligations.
  • Ability to establish and maintain policies for the workplace that regulate ethics and legal compliance.

Core Topics and Subtopics :

1. Introduction to Hospitality Laws

  • The Hospitality Industry's Legal Structures Synopsis
  • Principal Legal Issues Within the Hospitality Industry
  • Compliance with the Law in the Hospitality Sector
  • Hospitality Industry Court and Administrative Jurisdictions

2. Business Ethics in Hospitality

  • Principles and Emphasis of Ethics
  • Ethics / Ethical Issues in Hotel Management
  • Ethical Decision Making Models
  • Ethics in Relation to Employees and Customers

3. Contracts and Legal Agreements

  • Categories of Hospitality Contracts (service agreements, leases, etc.)
  • Knowledge of Terms and Conditions
  • Contract Violation and Its Consequences
  • Legal Matters in Franchise Agreements and Licensing

4. Labor and Employment Laws

  • Employment Agreements and Labor Relations in the Hotel Industry
  • Protection Against Prejudice and Equal Opportunity Legislation
  • Employee Health and Safety Standards
  • Employment Benefits, Remuneration, and Employee Rights

5. Health, Safety, and Liability

  • Hospitality Health and Safety Compliance (specific to HACCP, fire safety, etc.)
  • Responsibility for Accidents and Injuries in Hospitality
  • Risk and Insurance Management
  • Laws and Regulations Related to Customer Safety

6. Consumer Protection and Rights

  • Consumers’ Rights and Related Hospitality Business Services
  • General Data Protection Regulation and Other Privacy Laws
  • Laws on Unfair Trade Practices and Advertising
  • Resolution of Disputes Related to Customer Complaints

7. Environmental and Sustainability Laws

  • The Law and Sustainability Considerations in the Hospitality Sector
  • Eco-Labels and Sustainability Efforts in the Hospitality Industry
  • Environmental Law and Waste Management
  • Hospitality and Social Responsibility

8. International Laws and Ethics

  • Hospitality Legal Issues across Borders
  • Global Hospitality Cultural Awareness and Ethics
  • Global Human Resource Policies and Labor Practices
  • Managing International Contracts and Conflicts

9. Legal and Ethical Case Studies

  • Examination of Legal Disputes in the Hospitality Industry through case studies
  • Insights into Ethical Conflicts and Their Resolutions
  • Hospitality Industry’s Legal History and Its Influence
  • Complex Ethical Issues in Actual Situations of Hospitality Business

Weekly Breakdown / Session Plan

Week 1: Introduction to Hospitality Laws and Ethics

  • Objectives: Introduce hospitality laws and ethics.
  • Activities: Read introduction materials, engage in forum discussion, and watch video.
  • Key Reading: Chapter 1: Introduction to Hospitality Law and Ethics.
    Article: "The Importance of Ethical Practices in the Hospitality Industry."

Week 2: Legal Foundations in Hospitality

  • Objectives: Identify the sources of hospitality law.
  • Activities: Attend lectures, complete quiz, and engage in group discussions.
  • Key Reading: Chapter 2: Sources of Hospitality Law.
    Case Study: “Legal Precedents in Hospitality.”

Week 3: Contracts in Hospitality

  • Objectives: Understand the purpose and elements of contracts with respect to hospitality.
  • Activities: Study contracts, examine samples, and participate in a mock service agreement drafting session.
  • Key Reading: Chapter 3: Contracts and Agreements in Hospitality.
    Article: "Types of Hospitality Contracts."

Week 4: Labor Law and Employee Rights

  • Objectives: Explore labour laws and employee rights in hospitality.
  • Activities: Examine real-world legal challenges in hospitality.
  • Key Reading: Chapter 4: Labour Laws in Hospitality.
    Article: "Employee Rights and Legal Considerations in Hospitality."

Week 5: Health, Safety and Environmental Regulations

  • Objectives: Comprehend health, safety and environmental regulations in hospitality operations.
  • Activities: Engage in simulations, compose reports, and analyse environmental issues in hospitality case studies.
  • Key Reading: Chapter 5: Health and Safety Laws in Hospitality.
    Article: "Sustainability and Legal Challenges in Hospitality."

Week 6: Customer Protection Laws

  • Objectives: Acquire knowledge regarding consumers’ rights and protection policies.
  • Activities: Engage in discussion forums, complete assigned quiz, review and analyse customer conflict case study.
  • Key Reading: Chapter 6: Consumer Rights and Protection Laws.
    Case Study: "Legal Frameworks in Consumer Protection."

Week 7: Ethics in Hospitality

  • Objectives: Define and apply ethics in hospitality.
  • Activities: Study theory while actively engaging in the evaluation of ethical dilemmas.
  • Key Reading: Chapter 7: Ethics in the Hospitality Industry.
    Article: "Applying Ethical Theories in Hospitality."

Week 8: Sustainability and CSR

  • Objectives: Gain insight regarding CSR and sustainability in the hospitality industry.
  • Activities: Examine sustainable practices, analyse CSR reports, and formulate CSR proposals.
  • Key Reading: Chapter 8: Sustainability and CSR in Hospitality.
    Article: "Legal and Ethical Responsibilities in CSR."

Week 9: Managing Legal Risks in Hospitality

  • Objectives: Learn to manage legal risks in hospitality.
  • Activities: Participate in workshop, conduct risk assessments, and write risk management reports.
  • Key Reading: Chapter 9: Risk Management in Hospitality.
    Case Study: "Mitigating Legal Risks in Hospitality."

Week 10: Final Project & Review

  • Objectives: Implement feedback automation, revise core concepts, and synthesise course materials.
  • Activities: Compose review, reflect on course evaluation feedback, and finalise project submission.
  • Key Reading: Review important chapters.
    Article: "Emerging Trends in Hospitality Laws and Ethics."

Reading Materials

Textbook 

  • Topics: Introduction to Hospitality Laws
  • Reading Material: Introduction to Hospitality Laws
  • Author(s) / Source: Walker, J. R. / Cengage Learning
  • Topics: Ethics in Hospitality
  • Reading Material: Ethics in Hospitality Management
  • Author(s) / Source: Lashley, C., Morrison, A. / Routledge
  • Topics: Legal Framework in Hospitality
  • Reading Material: Hospitality Law: Managing Legal Issues in the Hospitality Industry
  • Author(s) / Source: David K. Hayes, Jack D. Ninemeier

e-Book / Article 

  • Topics: Contracts and Liability
  • Reading Material: The Law of Hospitality
  • Author(s) / Source: M. Shackleford, T. Keegan / Oxford Press
  • Topics: Labor Laws in the Hospitality Industry
  • Reading Material: Hospitality and Tourism: Synergies and New Directions
  • Author(s) / Source: Pizam, A. / Routledge

 Online Journal Articles

  • Topics: Health and Safety Regulations
  • Reading Material: The Hospitality Industry: Law and Safety Issues
  • Author(s) / Source: Various Authors / Local Regulations

Journal Article 

  • Topics: Sustainable Practices and Ethics
  • Reading Material: Sustainability in Hospitality: Theories and Practices
  • Author(s) / Source: B. Jones / Wiley

Online Case Studies 

  • Topics: Case Studies in Hospitality Ethics and Laws
  • Reading Material: Case Studies in Hospitality Management
  • Author(s) / Source: Different Contributors / Hospitality Journals