Semester 2, 2023 Toowoomba On-campus | |
Units : | 1 |
School or Department : | School of Business |
Grading basis : | Graded |
Course fee schedule : | /current-students/administration/fees/fee-schedules |
Staffing
Course Coordinator:
Requisites
Enrolment is not permitted in MGT3006 if MGT2006 has been previously completed.
Overview
It is essential that human resource managers, specialist and general managers, supervisors and business owners have an understanding of the employment relations framework within which they operate. Profound changes are occurring in the labour markets and economies throughout the world, which in a global business environment, influence decisions made by organisations in the Australian context. The role of the state in regulating employment relations is shifting dramatically with different ideologies vying for precedence in the regulatory requirements of business. This factor influences all organisations as they are bound by industrial relations and employment law. Most large employers in Australia and most industrialised countries remain unionised, to some extent. An understanding of the regulatory environment enables students to facilitate effective relationships with the different parties in employment relations: government, employer representatives and unions or other employee representatives. The study of employment relations provides students with an understanding of the implications of employment relations issues within the context of the effective management of human resources within the workplace.
Upon the completion of this course, students will be able to comprehend the complexity and critical nature of the industrial environment on the human resource function within the organisation. Employment relations constructs provide the basis of the organisational regulatory environment. The employment relations skills required by business owners, managers and human resource professionals are important for maintaining a sound approach to managing workers and maintaining best practice within the organisation, particularly where meeting industrial regulations is crucial. Through critical examination, students will be able to acquire an in-depth knowledge of this environment which enables them, in practice, to manage the complex and inherently political nature of this environment. Concepts explored in the course include agreement making, the causes of industrial conflict, the role of trade unions and employer associations, IR legislation, negotiation, managing workforce diversity, and recent developments in the organisation of work. It is recommended that students have a developed understanding of basic human resource and organisational behaviour theory prior to commencing this course.
Course learning outcomes
On successful completion of this course students should be able to:
- critically evaluate the competing theoretical and ideological perspectives in employment relations;
- critically examine the changing labour market context and the culturally diverse labour market within employment relations;
- appraise some of the main processes and parties (including unions, the state and management) associated with employment relations;
- break down the causes, patterns and manifestations of industrial conflict;
- communicate in writing by completion of the written assessments that include reflecting upon and taking responsibility for personal knowledge relating to employment relations and management of the contemporary workforce;
- collaborate with peers to enhance learning through the discussion of employment relations concepts and ideologies.
Topics
Description | Weighting(%) | |
---|---|---|
1. | Employment relations: theory and context | 25.00 |
2. | The parties: the state, management and unions | 25.00 |
3. | Processes: regulation, legislation, agreement making | 25.00 |
4. | Outcomes: industrial conflict and employment relations performance | 25.00 |
Text and materials required to be purchased or accessed
Student workload expectations
To do well in this subject, students are expected to commit approximately 10 hours per week including class contact hours, independent study, and all assessment tasks. If you are undertaking additional activities, which may include placements and residential schools, the weekly workload hours may vary.
Assessment details
Description | Group Assessment |
Weighting (%) | Course learning outcomes |
---|---|---|---|
Annotated bibliography | No | 10 | 1 |
Essay 1 | No | 30 | 1,2,3,4,5 |
Online forums | Yes | 10 | 1,2,3,4,5,6 |
Essay 2 | No | 50 | 1,2,3,4 |