Units
Employment Relations
Unit code: MGN410
Contact hours:
Credit points: 12
Information about fees and unit costs
This unit looks at the following: employment relations; employee and union action; the role of governments and industrial tribunals; alternative methods and pressures to change traditional Australian systems; the Australian system of labour management relations; systems of regulation in the employment area; negotiating skills; and the resources required for mobilising change in this area.
Availability
| Semester | Available |
|---|---|
| 2013 Semester 2 | Yes |
Sample subject outline - Semester 2 2012
Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.
Rationale
The rationale for this unit stems from the theoretical and practical dimensions of the relationship between managers and employees. The broad focus is on the employment relationship, the organisation of work and relevant managerial strategies. The unit explores ideas about work and employment, situating them within political, economic and social contexts, and examines the effects of changes within these environments (such as deregulation, flexibility, demographic changes etc) on work and work relationships.
Aims
The aim of the unit is to develop and extend students' understanding of the broad influences on industrial relations systems and on employment relationships, and consider advances in theory and practice that explore the relationship between industrial relations and human resource management.
Objectives
Course Learning Goals (Postgraduate)
The QUT Business School has established the Assurance of Learning (AOL) Goals to meet contemporary industry needs and standards. Achieving these learning outcomes will assist you to meet the desired graduate outcomes set at QUT - aligned with other internationally renowned business schools. Students will develop the following capabilities relevant to a contemporary global and sustainable business environment:
Have knowledge and skills pertinent to a particular discipline (KS)
1.1 Well-researched knowledge and critical understanding applied to issues at the forefront of a specialised discipline area
1.2 Ability to select and use effectively a range of tools and technologies to locate and/or generate information appropriate to the disciplinary context
Be critical thinkers and effective problem solvers (CTA)
2.1 Apply logical, critical and creative thinking and judgement to generate appropriate solutions to problems in the disciplinary context
Be professional communicators in an intercultural context (PC)
3.1 Ability to create and present professional documents and/or reports using high levels of analysis/synthesis/evaluation for a range of contexts and audiences
3.2 Ability to orally communicate and justify ideas and information, at a professional level, for a variety of contexts and audiences, including peers and discipline specialists
Be able to work effectively in a Team Environment (TW)
4.1 Operate effectively and with flexibility to achieve common goals in collaborative settings, using a range of skills, including leadership, negotiation, reflection, proactivity and support for team members
Have a Social and Ethical Understanding (SEU)
5.1 Apply knowledge of the ethical, social and cultural dimensions relevant to business situations, including appropriate standards or codes of practice, to provide courses of action
Unit Objectives
Upon completion of this unit, you should be able to:
1. Critically analyse the nature of workplace change through evaluating theories, strategies and practices that are relevant to contemporary labour-management relations.
2. Demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of employee relations and the appropriate management of the employment relationship through the application of the required legal framework.
3. Discuss the underlying concepts and application of current management approaches showing awareness of the major institutional dimensions of workplace relations.
4. Competently apply theoretical and conceptual knowledge of employee relations through a series of presentations, exercises and/or case studies.
The specific course learning goals and unit objectives that apply to this unit are shown in the assessment section of this unit outline.
Content
This unit develops and extends your understanding of the employment relations context, considering among other issues theories of employment relations, the role of institutions in employment relations, employee representation, bargaining structures and processes. The unit takes an international comparative perspective.
Approaches to Teaching and Learning
The unit is designed to introduce you to the theory and practice of employment relations. You are encouraged to relate the theories discussed to real-life examples and to take a critical approach to the material presented. You are asked to read the relevant chapter(s) of the text or other specified readings before each class each week to facilitate discussion.
Interactive class discussion groups incorporate information and application activities. Each week's lecture will be based around specific readings. Participative learning activities will explore application of the concepts. Videos/DVDs and other media will be used, where appropriate. Lecture power point slides and supplementary readings will be made available on the MGN410 Blackboard site. Information on assessment tasks and requirements are provided in the Week 1 document (available on the Blackboard site).
Assessment
The assessment in this unit aims to support your achievement of the learning objectives for both Discipline Knowledge and Other Graduate Capabilities. Assessment has been designed in order to allow you to:
In this unit you have some choice in assessment. You may undertake a minimum of 2 or a maximum of 3 items of assessment: the end of semester examination (assessment item 2) is compulsory.Students will receive feedback in various forms throughout the semester which may include:
Assessment name:
Online Quizzes (Optional)
Description:
Your knowledge of the previous week's theoretical material and your ability to apply it to an employment situation are tested either by using a simple employment scenario similar to those used in tutorial exercises, or through a series of multiple choice questions.
Compulsory or Optional: Optional
Length/Duration: 30-45 minutes
Formative or Summative: Formative and Summative
Relates to objectives:
Unit objectives: 1, 2, 3, 4 and AOL goals: KS (1.1), CTA (2.1), SEU (5.1)
Weight:
25%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
Weeks 3-12
Assessment name:
End-semester Exam (Compulsory)
Description:
The examination will cover all aspects of the unit. The format of the exam will be 4 short answer questions + 1 integrative essay.
Compulsory or Optional: Compulsory
Length/Duration: 2 hours + 10 minutes perusal time
Formative or Summative: Summative
Relates to objectives:
Unit objectives: 1, 2, 3, 4 and AOL goals: KS (1.1), CTA (2.1), SEU (5.1)
Weight:
50%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
Week 13 in class
Assessment name:
Case Study (Optional)
Description:
Using a specific case study you are to undertake a comprehensive consideration of matters occurring in relation to ER at that workplace. Several separate issue topics are available each with separate submission dates, outlined in the week 1 document. You are required to select only one.
Compulsory or Optional: Optional
Length/Duration: 1,250 words + reference list
Formative or Summative: Formative and Summative
Relates to objectives:
Unit objectives: 1, 2, 3, 4 and AOL goals: KS (1.1), CTA (2.1), PC (3.1)
Weight:
25%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
Various
Assessment name:
Film Analysis (Optional)
Description:
Using the DVD available from unit coordinator, you are to undertake a comprehensive consideration of employment relations matters depicted. After veiwing the DVD you are required to explore one question from those outlined in the week 1 document.
Compulsory or Optional: Optional
Length/Duration: 1,250 words + reference list
Formative or Summative: Formative and Summative
Relates to objectives:
Unit objectives: 1, 2, 3, 4 and AOL goals: KS (1.1), CTA (2.1), PC (3.1), SEU (5.1)
Weight:
25%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
Various
Assessment name:
Research Essay (Optional)
Description:
Using theoretical material discussed in the unit, you are to research one of the essay questions outlined in the week 1 document. There are both Australian and internationally-focused topics and students may select any option.
Compulsory or Optional: Optional
Length/Duration: 2,500 words + reference list
Formative or Summative: Formative and Summative
Relates to objectives:
Unit objectives: 1, 2, 3, 4 and AOL goals: KS (1.1), CTA (2.1), PC (3.1), SEU (5.1)
Weight:
50%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
Various
Academic Honesty
QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.
A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.
Resource materials
Prescribed Text
Noon, M and Blyton, P (2007) The realities of work, 3rd edition, Palgrave Macmillan, Bastingstoke, UK.
Additional Readings
Provided via CMD for most weeks. These expand on the textbook providing supplementary information about national or international details, legal contexts and practices. These readings may be useful for assessment items.
Other Resources
A number of ER/IR books have been placed on course reserve in the library. These are provided to assist with written assessment items.
There are no out-of-the-ordinary costs associated with this unit.
Risk assessment statement
There are no out-of-the-ordinary risks associated with lectures or tutorials in this unit. You should, however, familiarise yourself with evacuation procedures operating in the buildings in which you attend classes and take the time to
view the Emergency video.
Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.
Last modified: 12-Jun-2012
