This module uses the tools of economic analysis to examine the workings of the labour market. We consider a range of topics: why do people work, what is the impact of immigration on domestic labour markets, why do men earn more than women, is it worth joining a union, and what explanations does economics offer for persistent unemployment? Having looked at the relevant economic theory we use results from empirical studies to assess its heuristic value. Finally, we use international comparisons to discover the impact of labour market institutions and government.