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
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 - 2019
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).
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
Assessment Overview
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.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback - Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
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 Student Evaluations
The content and assessment requirements of this Unit have been well explained by members of the teaching team.
The teaching team will continue to explain the content and assessment requirements of this Unit.
Feedback from Student Evaluations
There should be more emphasis on the HR aspects of employment relations in this Unit.
The HR aspects of employment relations will receive more attention in the teaching of this Unit.
- 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.
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 - First Nations Knowledges | |||||
| 9 - 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 | 9 | |
| 1 - Written Assessment - 20% | |||||||||
| 2 - Written Assessment - 40% | |||||||||
| 3 - Examination - 40% | |||||||||
Textbooks
Employment Relations with Student Resource Access 12 Months
- Edition: 2nd edn (2018)
- Authors: Shaw, A, McPhail, R & Ressia, S
- Cengage Learning Australia
- South Melbourne South Melbourne , Victoria , Australia
- ISBN: 9780170376679
- Binding: Paperback
Additional Textbook Information
Copies are available to purchase at the CQUni Bookshop here: http://bookshop.cqu.edu.au (search on the Unit code)
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing styles below:
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
g.stewart@cqu.edu.au
Introduction to employment relations
Begin Date: 11 Mar 2019Module/Topic
Introduction to employment relations
Chapter
Chapter 1
Events and Submissions/Topic
The changing nature of work and employment
Begin Date: 18 Mar 2019Module/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: 25 Mar 2019Module/Topic
The role of the state in regulating employment relations
Chapter
Chapter 3
Events and Submissions/Topic
Bargaining for agreements
Begin Date: 01 Apr 2019Module/Topic
Bargaining for agreements
Chapter
Chapter 7
Events and Submissions/Topic
Employee representation and participation
Begin Date: 08 Apr 2019Module/Topic
Employee representation and participation
Chapter
Chapter 4
Events and Submissions/Topic
Essay due: Thursday, 5 April
Essay Due: Week 5 Thursday (11 Apr 2019) 11:45 pm AEST
Vacation Week
Begin Date: 15 Apr 2019Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Managers, employer strategy and employer representation
Begin Date: 22 Apr 2019Module/Topic
Managers, employer strategy and employer representation
Chapter
Chapter 5
Events and Submissions/Topic
Negotiation and conflict resolution
Begin Date: 29 Apr 2019Module/Topic
Negotiation and conflict resolution
Chapter
Chapter 6
Events and Submissions/Topic
Diversity and inclusion
Begin Date: 06 May 2019Module/Topic
Diversity and inclusion
Chapter
Chapter 8
Events and Submissions/Topic
Workplace health and safety (WHS)
Begin Date: 13 May 2019Module/Topic
Workplace health and safety (WHS)
Chapter
Chapter 9
Events and Submissions/Topic
Report due: Thursday, 10 May
Report Due: Week 9 Thursday (16 May 2019) 11:45 pm AEST
Staffing
Begin Date: 20 May 2019Module/Topic
Staffing
Chapter
Chapter 10
Events and Submissions/Topic
Learning and development
Begin Date: 27 May 2019Module/Topic
Learning and development
Chapter
Chapter 11
Events and Submissions/Topic
Performance management and reward management
Begin Date: 03 Jun 2019Module/Topic
Performance management and reward management
Chapter
Chapters 12 and 13
Events and Submissions/Topic
Review/Exam Week
Begin Date: 10 Jun 2019Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Exam Week
Begin Date: 17 Jun 2019Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
1 Written Assessment
Discuss the role and assess the effectiveness of the Fair Work Commission in the review of modern awards in the Australian system of employment relations. (20 marks)
Word Length: 1000-1500 words
Please note that information that is relevant to this essay will be posted on the Unit website.
Week 5 Thursday (11 Apr 2019) 11:45 pm AEST
Submissions must be uploaded to the Moodle website
Week 7 Monday (29 Apr 2019)
Assignments will be returned upon completion of the marking and moderation process
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.
- 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.
- Knowledge
- Communication
- Research
- Self-management
2 Written Assessment
Write a report to the Unit Coordinator critiquing the employment relations issues that arise from the February 2017 decision of the Full Bench of the Fair Work Commission with respect to the 4 yearly review of modern awards – Penalty Rates. (40 marks)
Word Length: 2000-2500 words
Please note that information that is relevant to this report will be posted on the Unit website.
Week 9 Thursday (16 May 2019) 11:45 pm AEST
Submissions must be uploaded to the Moodle website
Week 11 Thursday (30 May 2019)
Assignments will be returned upon completion of the marking and moderation process.
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.
- 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.
- Knowledge
- Communication
- Cognitive, technical and creative skills
- Research
- Self-management
- Ethical and Professional Responsibility
- Leadership
Examination
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?
