L’auteur s’intéresse à la question de savoir si le droit du travail américain est plus favorable à l’investissement direct étranger (IDE) que le droit du travail québécois dans le contexte de l’ALENA. Pour ce faire, il fait une revue de littérature sur les déterminants de la localisation de l’IDE afin de clarifier l’importance du droit du travail national dans les décisions d’investissement des entreprises multinationales. Celle-ci révèle que la localisation de l’IDE est un processus complexe et multidimensionnel impliquant un grand nombre de facteurs, dont certains sont associés à la demande, d’autres aux coûts, d’autres aux caractéristiques des pays-hôtes, et d’autres, enfin, au risque. Le droit du travail national, bien que revêtant une certaine importance, n’est qu’un facteur parmi d’autres. Elle révèle également que l’importance relative des déterminants de la localisation de l’IDE, incluant le droit du travail national, varie elle-même en fonction d’autres facteurs, comme le secteur d’activité de l’entreprise, sa stratégie, sa taille et la motivation de l’IDE. Ensuite, il fait une étude de droit comparé entre le Québec et le Massachusetts afin d’identifier les principales différences qui existent entre les deux régimes de droit du travail. Cette étude a permis d’identifier des différences importantes entre les deux systèmes étudiés. Ainsi, dans l’ensemble, le droit du travail applicable au Massachusetts se fonde davantage sur les principes de la liberté contractuelle et du laisser-faire que le droit du travail québécois, qui est beaucoup plus interventionniste. Enfin, l’auteur analyse les différences observées dans le cadre de l’étude de droit comparé à la lumière des conclusions de sa revue de littérature sur les déterminants de la localisation de l’IDE. Il en vient à la conclusion que bien qu’à de nombreux égards le droits du travail québécois s’avère plus avantageux que le droit du travail applicable au Massachusetts aux fins de la localisation de l’IDE, c’est plutôt ce dernier qui, de façon générale, s’avère le plus avantageux à ce chapitre. En effet, dans l’ensemble, le droit du travail québécois est susceptible d’imposer des coûts de main-d’œuvre supérieurs et de réduire la flexibilité du marché du travail davantage que le droit du travail applicable au Massachusetts. Or, considérant que le droit du travail national n’est qu’un facteur parmi d’autres dans la décision de localisation de l’IDE, le Québec n’est pas sans moyens. En effet, il possède d’autres avantages comparatifs qu’il peut faire valoir auprès des entreprises qui œuvrent dans des secteurs d’activités où ces avantages concurrentiels sont valorisés et susceptibles d’être exploités. De plus, considérant que le droit du travail national a un importance relative qui varie elle-même en fonction d’autres facteurs, le droit du travail québécois n’a pas nécessairement le même effet sur tous les investisseurs. Enfin, considérant que le droit du travail remplit des fonctions sociales autant que des fonctions économiques, c’est un faux débat que de mettre l’accent uniquement sur les conséquences « négatives » du droit du travail national sur l’IDE. En effet, c’est faire complètement abstraction de la question des coûts sociaux que le droit du travail permet de prévenir au sein d’une société. / The question under study is whether or not United States Labor and Employment Law is more favorable to foreign direct investment (FDI) than Quebec Labor and Employment Law within the context of NAFTA. To answer that question, the author first makes a literature review of the FDI localization determinants to clarify the importance of national labor and employment law in multinational companies investment decisions. This review reveals that the localization of FDI is a complex and multidimensional process involving a large number of factors, among which some are associated with demand, costs, characteristics of host-countries and risk. The national labor and employment law, although taking on a certain importance, is therefore only one factor among others. The review also reveals that the relative importance of FDI localization determinants, including national labor and employment law, varies according to other factors, such as the business sector of the company, its strategy, its size and the purpose of the FDI. Then, the author makes a comparative law study between Quebec and Massachusetts to identify the main differences which exist between both Labor and Employment Law regimes. This study allowed to identify important differences between both systems. In general, it is to be noted that Massachusetts’ Labor and Employment Law bases itself more on the principles of contractual freedom and “laissez-faire” than Quebec Labor and Employment Law, which is much more interventionist. Finally, the author analyzes the differences identified in the comparative law study in the light of the conclusions of his literature review on FDI localization determinants. He concludes that although Quebec Labor and Employment Law is on many aspects more advantageous than Massachusetts Labor and Employment Law for the purposes of FDI localization, it is rather the latter which, in general, turns out to be the most advantageous in this matter. Indeed, Quebec Labor and Employment Law may impose superior costs of labor and reduce labor market flexibility more than Massachusetts Labor and Employment Law. Yet, considering that national labor and employment law is only one factor among others in the FDI localization decision, Quebec is not without means. Indeed, it possesses other comparative advantages that it can assert with the multinational companies that are doing business in sectors where these competitive advantages are valued and susceptible to be exploited. Furthermore, considering that national labor and employment law has a relative importance which varies according to other factors, Quebec Labor and Employment Law has inevitably no same effect on all the investors. Finally, considering that labor and employment law performs social functions as much as economic functions, it is a false debate to emphasize only the "negative" consequences of the national labor and employment law on FDI. Indeed, it is to completely disregard the question of the social costs which labor and employment law allows to prevent within a society.

La non-discrimination est une notion en constante évolution. Elle se doit d’être réceptive aux nouvelles formes discriminatoires vécues par les travailleurs afin de garantir un niveau de protection juridique conforme aux exigences internationales et nationales. En ce sens, les discriminations multiples sont un parfait exemple. Il s’agit de situations dans lesquelles interviennent et interagissent plusieurs motifs prohibés. Or, le concept de discriminations multiples, issu des sciences sociales, n’est théorisé en droit que depuis les années 1980. Si elles sont inconnues du droit positif, la doctrine et la pratique tendent à souligner la nécessité de leur reconnaissance juridique. Saisies par le droit du travail, elles posent de nombreuses questions quant à leur définition et leur mise en oeuvre. Leur étude va permettre de délivrer une approche différente de l’exigence de non-discrimination en droit du travail mais également des objectifs de diversité en entreprise. / Anti-discrimination law is always evolving. It must be receptive to new types of discrimination against workers to guarantee a level of legal protection consistent with international and national standards. In that sense, multiple discriminations are a perfect example. They take place when several protected characteristics occur and interact with each other. The concept of multiple discriminations arises from social sciences but has only been legally theorized since the 80s. If French law does not consider them, jurisprudence and practice tends to underline the necessity of a legal acknowledgment. Seized by employment law, multiple discriminations pose many questions with regard to their definition and implementation. Nonetheless, studying them offers a different approach to the duty to not discriminate at work, and to insuring diversity in the workplace.

Olivia de Havilland’s legal victory over Warner Brothers in 1943 set a new precedent for labor relations in Hollywood. Not an isolated piece of litigation, the resulting law now is referred to by her name. It was the culmination of long struggle for actors in the studio system for representation and fair treatment under the law. Much of the work during Hollywood’s studio era was undertaken by women. They used their positions on screen both to appeal to their individual audiences. More than any other, the female star defined the pictures they performed in and the brand of the studios that employed them. Hollywood’s studio system bound stars like de Havilland contractually for a period of up to seven years, which was the legal limit at the time. This did not stop studios from abusing those legal limits through loopholes like the suspension clause. In 1943, the suspension clause was what Warner Brothers used to keep Olivia de Havilland beyond the seven calendar years she had worked for the studio. Actors rejoiced when the powerful suspension clause was declared unlawful by de Havilland’s suite. With the De Havilland Law, actors were entitled to independence that had previously be reserved for the lucky few.

Este tesis explorara las facetas de los derechos económicos de la mujeres antes, durante y despues del régimen de Pinochet. El primer capítulo se enfocara en resumir las políticas económicas y sociales de Allende, el antecesor de Pinochet. El segundo capítulo analiza el rol de la mujer en la casa y el trabajo en este momento, donde se determinó la diferencia salarial entre los dos sexos. El tercer capitulo demostrara una comparación entre las mujeres que son de clase altas versus las de las clases socio-económicas más bajas. El último capítulo tocara el tópico de la moderna perspectiva sobre los derechos de la mujer post-Pinochet. This thesis will explore the facets of the economic rights of women before, during, and after the Pinochet regime. The first chapter will focus on summarizing the economic and social policies of Allende, the predecessor of Pinochet. The second chapter analyzes the role of women in the home and work, where there will be a comparison on the wage difference between the two sexes. The third chapter will show the contrast between women who are in high-class status versus those of lower socio-economic classes. The last chapter will be relating to the modern perspective on the rights of women post-Pinochet.

L'indagine cerca di verificare la sussistenza di norme o la praticabilità di riforme o interpretazioni evolutive che consentano di riconoscere al lavoratore un ruolo efficamente preventivo rispetto a illeciti che possano prodursi nel corso dell'attività di impresa. Le due direttive principali lungo le quali corre l'analisi svolta sono quelle del diritto della sicurezza sul lavoro e delle segnalazioni (oggetto di comparazione con la normativa statunitense), con riferimenti ad alcune tematiche ritenute fondamentali della teoria generale del reato, così come ad aspetti significativi del contratto di lavoro subordinato. / The investigation is about the existence of laws or the possibility of reforms or evolutive interpretations that would allow a reconstruction of the role of the workers whithin an enterprise as a gatekeeper in front of illicit risks and conducts. While the focus is on health and safety at work and on whistleblowing laws (which are compared to the U.S.A. ones), the development of the thesis passes even through some fundamental themes of the general theory of the crime and some relevant profiles of the employment contract.

People living with HIV/AIDS have the right to be employed as long as they are physically fit to do the work. The unfortunate situation now is that in many South African workplaces employees who disclose their HIV/AIDS status or who are suspected of living with the disease face backlashes from fellow employees and sometimes even from employers. No one should be discriminated against or be prevented from being employed or dismissed from employment purely on the basis of having HIV or AIDS. Any form of discrimination against employees living with HIV/AIDS constitutes a violation of their constitutional rights to among others human dignity, equality and fair labour practices. Discrimination may take the form of pre-employment HIV testing or a dismissal due to HIV positive status. This research looks at the protection given to employees living with HIV/AIDS in the South African workplaces and whether the protection is adequate or not. / Mercantile Law / LL. M.

The constitutionality of affirmative action in terms of section 8 of Act 200 of 1993 is investigated. The study contends that in constitutional interpretation it is permissible to have recourse to ethical precepts as long as these are anchored within the four corners of the Constitution. It is contended that the •equality clause• does not prescribe equality of outcome in favour of substantive equality of opportunity. It is asserted that group-based affirmative action may justifiably be attacked as being unconstitutional; either on the basis that it infringes the nonbeneficiary's equality rights in terms of sections 8(1) and 8(2) or that it falls beyond the constitutional protection afforded to affirmative action in terms of section 8(3). Furthermore, group-based modalities of affirmative action may also not constitute a permissible limitation on the fundamental right to equality, if compared to an individual-based socio-economic affirmative action model. / Jurisprudence / LL. M.

Despite the extensive research conducted on sexual harassment, very little work has focused on the legal and psychological constructions of women's resistance to sexual harassment. In exploring the legal and psychological constructions of women's resistance to sexual harassment, we are confronted with salient issues pertaining to the determination of the welcomeness requirement which call for a reflection. A key characteristic of sexual harassment is that it is unwanted by the recipient. It is for each person to decide what behaviour is acceptable to them and what they regard as offensive. Thus, although there is general agreement about what can constitute sexual harassment, the experience of sexual harassment is subjective in nature and the precise quantification of workplace sexual harassment is problematic. The present study aims to: (a) identify the reasoning/history behind the "unwelcomeness/unwanted" requirement, (b) assess the reasonableness of· the requirement of "unwelcomeness/unwanted" conduct, taking into account the various pieces of legislation and case law, (c) determine how the courts have interpreted this requirement and what factors are looked at, (d) determine whether the test is subjective or objective, (e) identify the struggle and debilitating effects sexual harassment has on women in the workplace. The results of this study will assist in gaining knowledge and understanding of the concept of "unwelcomeness/unwanted" conduct in sexual harassment cases and the effects it has on the victim which will go a long way in assisting management in any business to effectively implement strategies and disciplines to manage the problem of sexual harassment in the workplace. / Private Law / LLM (Labour Law)

Esta pesquisa tem como tema central a questão de gênero e trabalho feminino. Traçando como objetivo geral analisar as percepções do trabalho na ótica das cuidadoras sociais de casas lares em Curitiba e Região Metropolitana. Delimitamos como objetivos específicos: identificar o papel das cuidadoras sociais da casa lar, a partir dos significados por elas atribuídos; identificar as fragilidades e gratificações na relação de trabalho das cuidadoras sociais no contexto da perspectiva de gênero; analisar as relações de trabalho as quais são submetidas às cuidadoras sociais, bem como a legislação profissional. Realizamos uma pesquisa com referencial metodológico qualitativo. Como técnica para a coleta de dados, utilizamos a entrevista semiestruturada com 15 cuidadoras sociais das instituições selecionadas. Foi utilizada a técnica de análise de conteúdo. Em relação às análises e interpretações dos dados coletados se verificou que a maioria das entrevistadas se considera de alguma forma mãe das crianças e adolescentes institucionalizados, o que indica, a princípio, que não compreendem a profissão de cuidadoras sociais como um trabalho. Percebe-se ainda, que este fato dificulta a percepção acerca da desvalorização social e financeira da profissão. A pesquisa apontou a importância de se constituir nos espaços das casas lares a implementação de formações continuadas, já que na maioria das entrevistas se identificou que no processo do trabalho as cuidadoras sociais se identificam como mães das crianças e adolescentes acolhidos e não se reconhecem como profissionais do cuidado. Dessa forma, uma das percepções observadas na pesquisa foi a necessidade que haja, por parte dos setores públicos, a responsabilidade de averiguar como as instituições contratantes dessas profissionais estão capacitando essas mulheres, como uma maneira de provocar nesses espaços a materialização de ações que minimizem a desvalorização desta profissão. / This research has as central theme the issue of gender and women's work. The objective of this study is to analyze the perceptions of work from the point of view of the social caregivers of homes of children in disadvantaged or at risks in Curitiba and Metropolitan Region. We define as specific objectives: to identify the role of the social caregivers of the home, based on the meanings assigned by them; Identify the weaknesses and gratifications in the work relationship of social caregivers in the context of the gender perspective; Analyze the labor relations that are submitted the social caregivers, as well as professional legislation. We conducted a qualitative methodological research. As a technique for data collection, we used the semistructured interview with 15 social caregivers of the selected institutions. The technique of content analysis was used. Regarding the analyzes and interpretations of the collected data, it was verified that the majority of the interviewees consider themselves to be somehow the mother of the institutionalized children and adolescents, which indicates, in principle, that they do not understand the profession of social caregivers as a job. It is also perceived that this fact makes it difficult to perceive the social and financial devaluation of the profession. The research pointed out the importance of the establishment of continuous training in the homes of children in disadvantaged or at risks, since in most of the interviews it was identified that in the work process, the social caregivers identify themselves as mothers of the children and adolescents who are accepted and do not recognize themselves as professionals Of care. Thus, one of the perceptions observed in the research was the need for the public sectors to determine how the contracting institutions of these professionals are empowering these women, as a way to provoke in these spaces the materialization of actions that minimize the devaluation of this profession.

Esta pesquisa tem como tema central a questão de gênero e trabalho feminino. Traçando como objetivo geral analisar as percepções do trabalho na ótica das cuidadoras sociais de casas lares em Curitiba e Região Metropolitana. Delimitamos como objetivos específicos: identificar o papel das cuidadoras sociais da casa lar, a partir dos significados por elas atribuídos; identificar as fragilidades e gratificações na relação de trabalho das cuidadoras sociais no contexto da perspectiva de gênero; analisar as relações de trabalho as quais são submetidas às cuidadoras sociais, bem como a legislação profissional. Realizamos uma pesquisa com referencial metodológico qualitativo. Como técnica para a coleta de dados, utilizamos a entrevista semiestruturada com 15 cuidadoras sociais das instituições selecionadas. Foi utilizada a técnica de análise de conteúdo. Em relação às análises e interpretações dos dados coletados se verificou que a maioria das entrevistadas se considera de alguma forma mãe das crianças e adolescentes institucionalizados, o que indica, a princípio, que não compreendem a profissão de cuidadoras sociais como um trabalho. Percebe-se ainda, que este fato dificulta a percepção acerca da desvalorização social e financeira da profissão. A pesquisa apontou a importância de se constituir nos espaços das casas lares a implementação de formações continuadas, já que na maioria das entrevistas se identificou que no processo do trabalho as cuidadoras sociais se identificam como mães das crianças e adolescentes acolhidos e não se reconhecem como profissionais do cuidado. Dessa forma, uma das percepções observadas na pesquisa foi a necessidade que haja, por parte dos setores públicos, a responsabilidade de averiguar como as instituições contratantes dessas profissionais estão capacitando essas mulheres, como uma maneira de provocar nesses espaços a materialização de ações que minimizem a desvalorização desta profissão. / This research has as central theme the issue of gender and women's work. The objective of this study is to analyze the perceptions of work from the point of view of the social caregivers of homes of children in disadvantaged or at risks in Curitiba and Metropolitan Region. We define as specific objectives: to identify the role of the social caregivers of the home, based on the meanings assigned by them; Identify the weaknesses and gratifications in the work relationship of social caregivers in the context of the gender perspective; Analyze the labor relations that are submitted the social caregivers, as well as professional legislation. We conducted a qualitative methodological research. As a technique for data collection, we used the semistructured interview with 15 social caregivers of the selected institutions. The technique of content analysis was used. Regarding the analyzes and interpretations of the collected data, it was verified that the majority of the interviewees consider themselves to be somehow the mother of the institutionalized children and adolescents, which indicates, in principle, that they do not understand the profession of social caregivers as a job. It is also perceived that this fact makes it difficult to perceive the social and financial devaluation of the profession. The research pointed out the importance of the establishment of continuous training in the homes of children in disadvantaged or at risks, since in most of the interviews it was identified that in the work process, the social caregivers identify themselves as mothers of the children and adolescents who are accepted and do not recognize themselves as professionals Of care. Thus, one of the perceptions observed in the research was the need for the public sectors to determine how the contracting institutions of these professionals are empowering these women, as a way to provoke in these spaces the materialization of actions that minimize the devaluation of this profession.