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.
Corrections

Unit Profile Correction added on 26-03-20

The end of term examination has now been changed to a take home exam. You will be advised on the Moodle site when the details for the examination have been finalised. 
 

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 - 2020

Brisbane
Melbourne
Online
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 Unit should have a more global focus.

Recommendation

This Unit focuses in large part on employment relations in Australia because international employment relations is covered in another Unit.

Feedback from Unit Evaluations

Feedback

The Unit Coordinator and members of the teaching team have been very good at explaining the assessment requirements of the Unit.

Recommendation

The Unit Coordinator and the members of the teaching team will continue to work together to ensure that the assessment requirements of this Unit are made clear to the students.

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 (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 for purchase at the CQUni Bookshop here: http://bookshop.cqu.edu.au (search on the Unit code)

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 style: American Psychological Association 6th Edition (APA 6th edition)

For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.

Teaching Contacts
Gordon Stewart Unit Coordinator
g.stewart@cqu.edu.au
Amlan Haque Unit Coordinator
a.haque@cqu.edu.au
Schedule
Introduction to employment relations Begin Date: 09 Mar 2020

Module/Topic

Introduction to employment relations

Chapter

Chapter 1

Events and Submissions/Topic

The changing nature of work and employment Begin Date: 16 Mar 2020

Module/Topic

The changing nature of work and employment

Chapter

Chapter 2

Events and Submissions/Topic

The changing nature of work and employment Begin Date: 23 Mar 2020

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: 30 Mar 2020

Module/Topic

The role of the state in regulating employment relations


Chapter

Chapter 3


Events and Submissions/Topic

Employee representation and participation Begin Date: 06 Apr 2020

Module/Topic

Employee representation and participation


Chapter

Chapter 4

Events and Submissions/Topic

Essay due: Thursday, 9 April


Essay Due: Week 5 Thursday (9 Apr 2020) 11:45 pm AEST
Vacation Week Begin Date: 13 Apr 2020

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Managers, employer strategy and employer representation Begin Date: 20 Apr 2020

Module/Topic

Managers, employer strategy and employer representation

Chapter

Chapter 5

Events and Submissions/Topic

Conflict and cooperation Begin Date: 27 Apr 2020

Module/Topic

Conflict and cooperation


Chapter

Chapter 6

Events and Submissions/Topic

Conflict resolution Begin Date: 04 May 2020

Module/Topic

Conflict resolution



Chapter

Chapter 6


Events and Submissions/Topic

Bargaining for agreements Begin Date: 11 May 2020

Module/Topic

Bargaining for agreements 

Chapter

Chapter 7


Events and Submissions/Topic

Report due: Thursday, 14 May


Report Due: Week 9 Thursday (14 May 2020) 11:45 pm AEST
Diversity and inclusion Begin Date: 18 May 2020

Module/Topic

Diversity and inclusion

Chapter

Chapter 8

Events and Submissions/Topic

Workplace health and safety (WHS) Begin Date: 25 May 2020

Module/Topic

Workplace health and safety (WHS)

Chapter

Chapter 9

Events and Submissions/Topic

Performance management Begin Date: 01 Jun 2020

Module/Topic

Performance management

Chapter

Chapters 12

Events and Submissions/Topic

Review/Exam Week Begin Date: 08 Jun 2020

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Exam Week Begin Date: 15 Jun 2020

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 International Labour Organization (ILO). In your essay pay particular attention to the impact of the ILO on employment relations in one country. (20 marks)

Word Length: 1000-1500 words

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


Assessment Due Date

Week 5 Thursday (9 Apr 2020) 11:45 pm AEST

Submissions must be uploaded to the Moodle website


Return Date to Students

Week 7 Thursday (30 Apr 2020)

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 Unit Coordinator critiquing the employment relations issues that arise from “wage theft”. In your report pay particular attention to employment relations in one country. (40 marks)

Word Length: 2000-2500 words

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


Assessment Due Date

Week 9 Thursday (14 May 2020) 11:45 pm AEST

Submissions must be uploaded to the Moodle website


Return Date to Students

Week 11 Thursday (28 May 2020)

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?