CQUniversity Unit Profile
HRMT20027 Employment Relations
Employment Relations
All details in this unit profile for HRMT20027 have been officially approved by CQUniversity and represent a learning partnership between the University and you (our student).
The information will not be changed unless absolutely necessary and any change will be clearly indicated by an approved correction included in the profile.
General Information

Overview

This unit studies employment relations particularly in regard to the Australian employment relations system. The unit examines the ways in which governments, unions and employers interact in the Australian labour market to create the terms and conditions of employment for working people in Australia. The study of the labour market also includes a study of the theories that enhance understanding of employment relations, as well as important issues such as industrial conflict, enetrprise bargaining and employee participation. Finally, issues arising from the resolution and management of conflict and the facilitation of economic efficiency and equity in the labour market are analysed. If you have successfully completed the unit HRMT20018 you should not enrol in this unit.

Details

Career Level: Postgraduate
Unit Level: Level 8
Credit Points: 6
Student Contribution Band: 10
Fraction of Full-Time Student Load: 0.125

Pre-requisites or Co-requisites

There are no requisites for this unit.

Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).

Offerings For Term 1 - 2018

Brisbane
Distance
Melbourne
Sydney

Attendance Requirements

All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes – in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).

Class and Assessment Overview

Recommended Student Time Commitment

Each 6-credit Postgraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.

Class Timetable

Bundaberg, Cairns, Emerald, Gladstone, Mackay, Rockhampton, Townsville
Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney

Assessment Overview

1. Written Assessment
Weighting: 20%
2. Written Assessment
Weighting: 40%
3. Examination
Weighting: 40%

Assessment Grading

This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of ‘pass’ in order to pass the unit. If any ‘pass/fail’ tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully (‘pass’ grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the ‘assessment task’ section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University’s Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.

Previous Student Feedback

Feedback, Recommendations and Responses

Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.

Feedback from Unit Evaluations

Feedback

The efforts of the teaching team were commended.

Recommendation

The teaching team will continue to work together to explain the academic content of this Unit.

Feedback from Unit Evaluations

Feedback

The linkage between the essay and the report needs strengthening.

Recommendation

The academic content of the essay will be strengthened.

Unit Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
  1. explain and discuss some of the theories of employment relations;
  2. discuss and assess the role of governments, unions and employers in the system of employment relations in Australia;
  3. identify and critically evaluate the changes in the Australian labour market;
  4. discuss the impact of legislation on the practice of employment relations in Australia; and
  5. identify and critically evaluate the most important issues that impact on the practice of employment relations in Australia.
Alignment of Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Graduate Attributes
N/A Level
Introductory Level
Intermediate Level
Graduate Level
Professional Level
Advanced Level

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes

Assessment Tasks Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4 5
1 - Written Assessment - 20%
2 - Written Assessment - 40%
3 - Examination - 40%

Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes

Graduate Attributes Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4 5
1 - Knowledge
2 - Communication
3 - Cognitive, technical and creative skills
4 - Research
5 - Self-management
6 - Ethical and Professional Responsibility
7 - Leadership
8 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes

Assessment Tasks Graduate Attributes
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
1 - Written Assessment - 20%
2 - Written Assessment - 40%
3 - Examination - 40%
Textbooks and Resources

Textbooks

Prescribed

Employment Relations with Student Resource Access 12 Months

Edition: 2nd edn (2017)
Authors: Shaw, A, McPhail, R & Ressia, S
Cengage Learning Australia
South Melbourne South Melbourne , Victoria , Australia
ISBN: 9780170376679
Binding: Paperback

IT Resources

You will need access to the following IT resources:
  • CQUniversity Student Email
  • Internet
  • Unit Website (Moodle)
Referencing Style

All submissions for this unit must use the referencing styles below:

For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.

Teaching Contacts
Gordon Stewart Unit Coordinator
g.stewart@cqu.edu.au
Schedule
Introduction to employment relations Begin Date: 05 Mar 2018

Module/Topic

Introduction to employment relations

Chapter

Chapter 1

Events and Submissions/Topic

The changing nature of work and employment Begin Date: 12 Mar 2018

Module/Topic

The changing nature of work and employment

Chapter

Chapter 2

Events and Submissions/Topic

The role of the state in regulating employment relations Begin Date: 19 Mar 2018

Module/Topic

The role of the state in regulating employment relations


Chapter

Chapter 3

Events and Submissions/Topic

Bargaining for agreements Begin Date: 26 Mar 2018

Module/Topic

Bargaining for agreements


Chapter

Chapter 7

Events and Submissions/Topic

Employee representation and participation Begin Date: 02 Apr 2018

Module/Topic

Employee representation and participation


Chapter

Chapter 4

Events and Submissions/Topic

Essay due: Thursday, 5 April


Essay Due: Week 5 Thursday (5 Apr 2018) 11:45 pm AEST
Vacation Week Begin Date: 09 Apr 2018

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Managers, employer strategy and employer representation Begin Date: 16 Apr 2018

Module/Topic

Managers, employer strategy and employer representation

Chapter

Chapter 5

Events and Submissions/Topic

Negotiation and conflict resolution Begin Date: 23 Apr 2018

Module/Topic

Negotiation and conflict resolution


Chapter

Chapter 6

Events and Submissions/Topic

Diversity and inclusion Begin Date: 30 Apr 2018

Module/Topic

Diversity and inclusion


Chapter

Chapter 8

Events and Submissions/Topic

Workplace health and safety (WHS) Begin Date: 07 May 2018

Module/Topic

Workplace health and safety (WHS)


Chapter

Chapter 9

Events and Submissions/Topic

Report due: Thursday, 10 May


Report Due: Week 9 Thursday (10 May 2018) 11:45 pm AEST
Staffing Begin Date: 14 May 2018

Module/Topic

Staffing


Chapter

Chapter 10

Events and Submissions/Topic

Learning and development Begin Date: 21 May 2018

Module/Topic

Learning and development


Chapter

Chapter 11

Events and Submissions/Topic

Performance management and reward management Begin Date: 28 May 2018

Module/Topic

Performance management and reward management

Chapter

Chapters 12 and 13

Events and Submissions/Topic

Review/Exam Week Begin Date: 04 Jun 2018

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Exam Week Begin Date: 11 Jun 2018

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Assessment Tasks

1 Written Assessment

Assessment Title
Essay

Task Description

Discuss the role and assess the effectiveness of the Fair Work Ombudsman in the Australian system of employment relations. (20 marks)

Word Length: 1500-2000 words

Please note that information that is relevant to this essay will be posted on the Unit website.


Assessment Due Date

Week 5 Thursday (5 Apr 2018) 11:45 pm AEST

Submissions must be uploaded to the Moodle website


Return Date to Students

Week 7 Thursday (26 Apr 2018)

Assignments will be returned upon completion of the marking and moderation process.


Weighting
20%

Assessment Criteria

Depth of knowledge and critical analysis of the topic

Appropriateness of responses to the topic question

Relevant and accurate literature

Essay has clear introduction, main body & conclusion. Clarity of expression/grammar and spelling

Correct referencing style

Appropriate word length relevant to the topic.

A detailed criteria sheet is available on the Unit Moodle website.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • explain and discuss some of the theories of employment relations;
  • discuss and assess the role of governments, unions and employers in the system of employment relations in Australia;
  • identify and critically evaluate the changes in the Australian labour market;
  • discuss the impact of legislation on the practice of employment relations in Australia; and
  • identify and critically evaluate the most important issues that impact on the practice of employment relations in Australia.


Graduate Attributes
  • Knowledge
  • Communication
  • Research
  • Self-management

2 Written Assessment

Assessment Title
Report

Task Description

Write a report to the President of the Fair Work Commission on the role that the Commission has played in the industrial dispute between Oaky Creek Coal Pty Ltd and the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union in 2017 and 2018. In your report evaluate the effectiveness of the Commission in this dispute and make recommendations as to whether or not this body should have greater powers to intervene in this type of dispute. (40 marks)

Word Length: 2500-3000 words

Please note that information that is relevant to this report will be posted on the Unit website.


Assessment Due Date

Week 9 Thursday (10 May 2018) 11:45 pm AEST

Submissions must be uploaded to the Moodle website


Return Date to Students

Week 11 Thursday (24 May 2018)

Assignments will be returned upon completion of the marking and moderation process.


Weighting
40%

Assessment Criteria

Depth of knowledge and critical analysis of the topic

Appropriateness of responses to the topic question

Relevant and accurate literature

Essay has clear introduction, main body & conclusion. Clarity of expression/grammar and spelling

Correct referencing style

Appropriate word length relevant to the topic.

A detailed criteria sheet is available on the Unit Moodle website.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • discuss the impact of legislation on the practice of employment relations in Australia; and
  • identify and critically evaluate the most important issues that impact on the practice of employment relations in Australia.


Graduate Attributes
  • Knowledge
  • Communication
  • Cognitive, technical and creative skills
  • Research
  • Self-management
  • Ethical and Professional Responsibility
  • Leadership

Examination

Outline
Complete an invigilated examination

Date
During the examination period at a CQUniversity examination centre

Weighting
40%

Length
180 minutes

Exam Conditions
Closed Book

Materials
Dictionary - non-electronic, concise, direct translation only (dictionary must not contain any notes or comments).
Academic Integrity Statement

As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.

Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.

When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.

Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.

As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.

What is a breach of academic integrity?

A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.

Why is academic integrity important?

A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.

Where can I get assistance?

For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.

What can you do to act with integrity?