Overview
Regulation of employment laws represents one of the significant areas of policy difference between the major political parties in Australia. Consequently, both parties have instituted major legislative reform in this area in the last 10 years resulting in the coalition's “Work Choices" and the introduction by the Australian Labor Party of the Fair Work Act in 1990. The purpose of this unit is to allow students an overview of the common law and legislation which regulates the employment relationship within Australia. Students consider different approaches to regulation from the protective view through to economic rationalism and the libertarian approach. The unit discusses issues around entering into the employment relationship, managing and regulating the relationship and finally, ending the employment relationship.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
Pre-requisite: 24 credit points of law units
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 - 2022
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 Undergraduate 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 Have your say
I felt that this subject was aimed at students that had prior knowledge and background in employment law. Eg, union reps or HR. Being an ‘outsider’ I felt that it was targeted for all students and I was lost a lot during the term. I found it hard to reach out for help and the lectures were focussed toward students with most knowledge. Hopefully future students won’t struggle like I did.
I recommend that learning approaches and/or strategies that suit students with limited prior knowledge of workplace/industrial relations be considered further.
Feedback from Have your say
I enjoyed the fast pace of this unit. Learning so much in a shorter time frame was challenging but enjoyable. Victoria is always consistent in her units - filling them with knowledge!!
This is a comment which relates to the intensive mode of the unit, I recommend that it be retained in the light of the feedback.
Feedback from Have your say
The assignment instructions could have been clearer. I think a lot of people got confused, especially with the group task.
I recommend that the instructions to the assignment be reviewed and made clearer. I also recommend an instructional video be prepared specifically for the assessments.
- Apply Australian employment law, as encapsulated in legislation and common law, to practical issues.
- Research, analyse and evaluate primary and secondary sources of employment law in Australia.
- Interpret legal principles in the analysis of employment law disputes to identify obligations, rights and remedies and provide solutions to these disputes.
- Use skills in team work, communication, critical legal thinking and reasoning.
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
1 - Written Assessment - 40% | ||||
2 - Written Assessment - 60% |
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
1 - Communication | ||||
2 - Problem Solving | ||||
3 - Critical Thinking | ||||
4 - Information Literacy | ||||
5 - Team Work | ||||
6 - Information Technology Competence | ||||
7 - Cross Cultural Competence | ||||
8 - Ethical practice | ||||
9 - Social Innovation | ||||
10 - 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 | 10 | |
1 - Written Assessment - 40% | ||||||||||
2 - Written Assessment - 60% |
Textbooks
Stewart's Guide to Employment Law
Edition: 7th (2021)
Authors: Andrew Stewart
Federation Press
Sydney Sydney , NSW , Australia
ISBN: 9781760023157
Binding: eBook
Additional Textbook Information
The book is available in hard copy and is also available in electronic form. The CQU library is likely to buy the book in Eform so students can access it. Students should check the cqu library website before they make a decision to purchase the book.
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
- Zoom (both microphone and webcam capability)
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Australian Guide to Legal Citation, 4th ed
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
v.lambropoulos@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
Preliminaries:
**The reading noted here is the minimum required there may be other reading which is required - make sure you check your CQU emails/ read moodle regularly. The reason for this is that the law changes quite often in this area.
Chapter
- Familiarise yourself with the moodle site,
- Download materials,
- Ensure you have access to prescribed text book (TB) (ether online or in hard copy),
- Introduce yourself on moodle and look for a partner for team activity in assessment 1.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Self guided reading and research.
Module/Topic
PART 1 : Entering into the employment relationship
Chapter
Reading: Chapters 1,2 & 3 in TB
Events and Submissions/Topic
Complete weekly exercises.
Self guided reading and research.
Module/Topic
PART 1 : Entering into the employment relationship
Chapter
Reading: Chapters 4,5 & 6 in TB
Events and Submissions/Topic
Complete weekly exercises.
Self guided reading and research.
Module/Topic
PART 2: Regulating and managing the employment relationship.
Chapter
Reading: Chapters 7, 8 & 10 of TB
Events and Submissions/Topic
Continue self guided reading and research.
Module/Topic
PART 2: Regulating and managing the employment relationship - continues
Chapter
Reading: Chapters 11, 12, 13 in TB we touch on chapter 14 briefly.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Complete weekly exercises.
Self guided reading and research.
Module/Topic
PART 3: Ending the employment relationship.
Chapter
Reading: Chapters 9 & 14 in TB
Events and Submissions/Topic
Complete weekly exercises.
Self guided reading and research.
Workbooks - Parts 1 and 2 Due: Week 5 Friday (8 Apr 2022) 11:55 pm AEST
Module/Topic
Vacation week
Chapter
Vacation week
Events and Submissions/Topic
Vacation week
Module/Topic
PART 3: Ending the employment relationship - continues
Chapter
Reading: Chapters 16 & 17 in TB
Events and Submissions/Topic
Complete weekly exercises.
Self guided reading and research.
Module/Topic
Part 4: Review and consolidate learning for the take home exam
Chapter
Review and consolidate required reading from Parts 1,2 and 3 of unit content
Events and Submissions/Topic
Self guided reading and research.
Module/Topic
Part 4: Review and consolidate learning for the take home exam
Chapter
Review and consolidate required reading from Parts 1,2 and 3 of unit content.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Review and revision.
Self guided reading and research.
Module/Topic
Take Home Exam Preparation
Chapter
Self - Guided preparation.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
1 Written Assessment
This assessment is a workbook. Students will be given a series of questions to prepare answers for Part 1: Entering into the Employment Relationship and Part 2: Regulating and Managing the Employment Relationship.
Students are encouraged/expected to work through these questions progressively as we go through the course in Weeks 1 - 4. We will discuss the content in the online live Zoom sessions.
Week 5 Friday (8 Apr 2022) 11:55 pm AEST
Students are expected to have worked through the exercises progressively so the bulk of the work would have been completed by the end of week 4.
Week 7 Friday (29 Apr 2022)
Will be returned online
- (c) the paper has largely referenced material which is not primary and/or academically rigorous for example, online summaries and blogs.
5. Overall has not complied with the AGLC.
4. Grammar and written expression was satisfactory but there were a large amount of errors throughout.
5. Attempt to comply with AGLC but there were significant errors throughout.
Students at a minimum must have completed the following in order to obtain a CREDIT
1. All of the tasks/ questions have been completed but there are some errors of which are significant in nature.
2. Identified and discussed relevant legal issues but missed some issues a minority of which were significant.
1. All of the tasks/questions have been completed with few errors of which are minor in nature.
2. Identified and discussed relevant legal issues. Any errors were few and were mostly minor.
3. Relevant cases and legislation identified and discussed. Any errors were few and mostly minor.
4. Grammar and written expression was very good with some minor errors.
1. All of the tasks/questions have been completed with no errors or almost no errors.
2. Identified and discussed all or almost all relevant legal issues.
3. All relevant cases and legislation identified and discussed with no errors or almost no errors.
4. Grammar and written expression was excellent.
No submission method provided.
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Information Technology Competence
- Apply Australian employment law, as encapsulated in legislation and common law, to practical issues.
- Research, analyse and evaluate primary and secondary sources of employment law in Australia.
- Interpret legal principles in the analysis of employment law disputes to identify obligations, rights and remedies and provide solutions to these disputes.
- Use skills in team work, communication, critical legal thinking and reasoning.
2 Written Assessment
This will be a take home written examination. The assessment may contain a mix of problem style questions and essay style questions drawn from the whole course content with a particular focus on Part 3: Ending the Employment Relationship.
The take home exam is intended to simulate invigilated exam conditions (as far as possible) therefore students are given a limited time period to complete the exam.
NO EXTENSIONS OF TIME ON TAKE HOME PAPERS AVAILABLE
1. Submissions after the deadline has passed will not be accepted.
2. Failure to submit by the deadline will result in a mark of zero for this assessment as the paper will not be marked.
3. Extensions are not available for take home papers.
4. Exam conditions apply to all take home papers.
The date and time of the exam will be advised to students during the term. Please ignore the dates and times below.
Week 9 Friday (13 May 2022) 12:00 am AEST
To be submitted online
Exam Week Friday (17 June 2022)
Results released online
- (c) the paper has largely referenced material which is not primary and/or academically rigorous for example, online summaries and blogs.
5. Overall has not complied with the AGLC.
4. Grammar and written expression was satisfactory but there were a large amount of errors throughout.
5. Attempt to comply with AGLC but there were significant errors throughout.
Students at a minimum must have completed the following in order to obtain a CREDIT
1. All of the tasks/ questions have been completed but there are some errors of which are significant in nature.
2. Identified and discussed relevant legal issues but missed some issues a minority of which were significant.
1. All of the tasks/questions have been completed with few errors of which are minor in nature.
2. Identified and discussed relevant legal issues. Any errors were few and were mostly minor.
3. Relevant cases and legislation identified and discussed. Any errors were few and mostly minor.
4. Grammar and written expression was very good with some minor errors.
1. All of the tasks/questions have been completed with no errors or almost no errors.
2. Identified and discussed all or almost all relevant legal issues.
3. All relevant cases and legislation identified and discussed with no errors or almost no errors.
4. Grammar and written expression was excellent.
No submission method provided.
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Team Work
- Information Technology Competence
- Apply Australian employment law, as encapsulated in legislation and common law, to practical issues.
- Research, analyse and evaluate primary and secondary sources of employment law in Australia.
- Interpret legal principles in the analysis of employment law disputes to identify obligations, rights and remedies and provide solutions to these disputes.
- Use skills in team work, communication, critical legal thinking and reasoning.
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.