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Course Outline

HRM220 Managing Workplace Relations

Course Coordinator:Noel Tracey (ntracey@usc.edu.au) School:School of Business and Creative Industries

2023Semester 2

UniSC Sunshine Coast

UniSC Moreton Bay

 Blended learning Most of your course is on campus but you may be able to do some components of this course online.

Online

 Online You can do this course without coming onto campus.

Please go to usc.edu.au for up to date information on the
teaching sessions and campuses where this course is usually offered.

What is this course about?

Description

This course provides an understanding of the regulatory systems which govern employment relations within Australia. You will be exposed to critical elements of workplace legislation and contemporary issues such as discrimination, health and safety, the distinction between employee and contractor, dismissal, intellectual property and privacy. This course also provides you with specific managerial approaches to employment relations within the context of managing industrial conflict and overall organisational performance.

How will this course be delivered?

Activity Hours Beginning Week Frequency
Blended learning
Learning materials – Interactive online learning activities. 1.5hrs Week 1 13 times
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – Scheduled face to face workshops. 2hrs Week 1 10 times
Online
Learning materials – Interactive online learning activities. 1.5hrs Week 1 13 times
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – Scheduled online workshops (Recorded). 2hrs Week 1 10 times

Course Topics

  1. Theories and frameworks for the study of employment relations
  2. Role of the State, unions and employer groups
  3. Regulation of Minimum standards (NES) and the formation and application of awards
  4. Current Issues – Collective bargaining and the negotiation of enterprise agreements
  5. The employment contract formation and types (contractor vs employee)
  6. Equity and Discrimination
  7. Workplace Health and Safety
  8. Current Issues – Bullying and Harassment
  9. Dismissal (1)
  10. Dismissal (2)
  11. Intellectual property and privacy
  12. Managing industrial conflict and poor performance

 

What level is this course?

200 Level (Developing)

Building on and expanding the scope of introductory knowledge and skills, developing breadth or depth and applying knowledge and skills in a new context. May require pre-requisites where discipline specific introductory knowledge or skills is necessary. Normally, undertaken in the second or third full-time year of an undergraduate programs.

What is the unit value of this course?

12 units

How does this course contribute to my learning?

Course Learning Outcomes On successful completion of this course, you should be able to... Graduate Qualities Mapping Completing these tasks successfully will contribute to you becoming... Professional Standard Mapping * Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
1 Demonstrate capacity to critically apply legislation, precedent, theoretical and discipline knowledge to practical workplace relations contexts. Knowledgeable
Creative and critical thinker
Empowered 
PC1.3, PC3, PC6.2
2 Demonstrate competency in problem-solving and the development of innovative solutions to contemporary employment relations issues or scenarios. Creative and critical thinker
Empowered
Engaged 
PC3.1, PC6.2
3 Demonstrate the value of diversity and inclusivity in ensuring a socially responsible and sustainable approach to employment relations decision making. Knowledgeable
Empowered
Ethical
Sustainability-focussed 
PC4, PC4.1, PC5, PC5.1, PC6.2
4 Demonstrate effective written and oral communication skills in an Australian employment relations context. Empowered
Engaged 
PC1.1, PC1.2, PC6, PC6.2

* Competencies by Professional Body

CODE COMPETENCY
Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
PC1.1 Written Communication
PC1.2 Oral Communication
PC1.3 Digital Literacy
PC3 Creative and Critical Thinking
PC3.1 Problem Solving
PC4 Community Consciousness
PC4.1 Social Responsibility and Sustainability
PC5 Cultural Awareness
PC5.1 Diversity
PC6 Career-ready
PC6.2 Discipline Knowledge

Am I eligible to enrol in this course?

Refer to the UniSC Glossary of terms for definitions of “pre-requisites, co-requisites and anti-requisites”.

Pre-requisites

Not applicable

Co-requisites

Not applicable

Anti-requisites

Not applicable

Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills (where applicable)

Not applicable

How am I going to be assessed?

Grading Scale

Standard Grading (GRD)

High Distinction (HD), Distinction (DN), Credit (CR), Pass (PS), Fail (FL).

Details of early feedback on progress

Formative feedback is provided throughout the semester in workshops and short quizzes in each module's learning materials. Workshops include the review of weekly modules, responses to case study-type questions and both small group and class discussion related to contemporary workplace relations content.

Assessment tasks

Delivery mode Task No. Assessment Product Individual or Group Weighting % What is the duration / length? When should I submit? Where should I submit it?
All 1 Oral Individual 50% 
15 minutes
 Week 7 Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All 2 Case Study Individual 50% 
2,000 words
 Exam Period Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All - Assessment Task 1:Job Application Video
Goal: 
For you to demonstrate an understanding of the theoretical and regulatory context for workplace relations within society and business.
Product: Oral
Format: 
You will prepare a narrated PowerPoint presentation and upload both the exported video file and a PDF copy of the slides. More details available on the Canvas site.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
Demonstrate knowledge of the relevant legislation, precedent, standards, principles and theory within an Australian employment relations context.
 1
2 
Evidence of critical thinking to develop and evaluate appropriate and innovative
recommendations to business problems within an Australian workplace relations
context.
 2
3 
Awareness, appreciation and respect for cultural and other forms of diversity and
the need for inclusivity within an Australian workplace relations context.
 3
4 
Professional presentation skills including: appearance, voice, body language, time management, use of technology.
 4
All - Assessment Task 2:Case Study
Goal: 
For you to demonstrate an applied understanding of regulation of workplace relations through the application of principles to a given problem-solving scenario
Product: Case Study
Format: 
You will be asked to complete an investigation of a current issue in workplace relations. This assessment task will require research into the regulatory framework surrounding the issue.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
Application of knowledge of the relevant legislation, standards/codes of conduct, associated
with legal compliance in an Australian workplace relations context.
 1
2 
Demonstrate evidence of critical thinking to develop and evaluate innovative, socially responsible, ethical and sustainable practice in an Australian employment relations context.
 2 3
3 
Spelling, punctuation, grammar, sentence construction, report presentation and referencing
 4

Directed study hours

A 12-unit course will have total of 150 learning hours which will include directed study hours (including online if required), self-directed learning and completion of assessable tasks. Student workload is calculated at 12.5 learning hours per one unit.

What resources do I need to undertake this course?

Please note: Course information, including specific information of recommended readings, learning activities, resources, weekly readings, etc. are available on the course Canvas site– Please log in as soon as possible.

Prescribed text(s) or course reader

Please note that you need to have regular access to the resource(s) listed below. Resources may be required or recommended.

Required? Author Year Title Edition Publisher
Required n/a 0 No set text for this course. Please refer to the Course Readings. n/a n/a

Specific requirements

Not applicable

How are risks managed in this course?

Health and safety risks for this course have been assessed as low. It is your responsibility to review course material, search online, discuss with lecturers and peers and understand the health and safety risks associated with your specific course of study and to familiarise yourself with the University’s general health and safety principles by reviewing the online induction training for students, and following the instructions of the University staff.

What administrative information is relevant to this course?

Assessment: Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is the ethical standard of university participation.  It ensures that students graduate as a result of proving they are competent in their discipline.  This is integral in maintaining the value of academic qualifications. Each industry has expectations and standards of the skills and knowledge within that discipline and these are reflected in assessment.

Academic integrity means that you do not engage in any activity that is considered to be academic fraud; including plagiarism, collusion or outsourcing any part of any assessment item to any other person.  You are expected to be honest and ethical by completing all work yourself and indicating in your work which ideas and information were developed by you and which were taken from others. You cannot provide your assessment work to others. You are also expected to provide evidence of wide and critical reading, usually by using appropriate academic references.

In order to minimise incidents of academic fraud, this course may require that some of its assessment tasks, when submitted to Canvas, are electronically checked through Turnitin.  This software allows for text comparisons to be made between your submitted assessment item and all other work to which Turnitin has access.

Assessment: Additional Requirements

Eligibility for Supplementary Assessment

Your eligibility for supplementary assessment in a course is dependent of the following conditions applying:

The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4%
The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale
You have not failed an assessment task in the course due to academic misconduct

Assessment: Submission penalties

Late submission of assessment tasks may be penalised at the following maximum rate: 
- 5% (of the assessment task's identified value) per day for the first two days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. 
- 10% (of the assessment task's identified value) for the third day - 20% (of the assessment task's identified value) for the fourth day and subsequent days up to and including seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. 
- A result of zero is awarded for an assessment task submitted after seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. Weekdays and weekends are included in the calculation of days late. To request an extension you must contact your course coordinator to negotiate an outcome.

SafeUniSC

UniSC is committed to a culture of respect and providing a safe and supportive environment for all members of our community. For immediate assistance on campus contact SafeUniSC by phone: 07 5430 1168 or using the SafeZone app. For general enquires contact the SafeUniSC team by phone 07 5456 3864 or email safe@usc.edu.au.

The SafeUniSC Specialist Service is a Student Wellbeing service that provides free and confidential support to students who may have experienced or observed behaviour that could cause fear, offence or trauma. To contact the service call 07 5430 1226 or email studentwellbeing@usc.edu.au.

Study help

For help with course-specific advice, for example what information to include in your assessment, you should first contact your tutor, then your course coordinator, if needed.

If you require additional assistance, the Learning Advisers are trained professionals who are ready to help you develop a wide range of academic skills. Visit the Learning Advisers web page for more information, or contact Student Central for further assistance: +61 7 5430 2890 or studentcentral@usc.edu.au.

Wellbeing Services

Student Wellbeing provide free and confidential counselling on a wide range of personal, academic, social and psychological matters, to foster positive mental health and wellbeing for your academic success.

To book a confidential appointment go to Student Hub, email studentwellbeing@usc.edu.au or call 07 5430 1226.

AccessAbility Services

Ability Advisers ensure equal access to all aspects of university life. If your studies are affected by a disability, learning disorder mental health issue, injury or illness, or you are a primary carer for someone with a disability or who is considered frail and aged, AccessAbility Services can provide access to appropriate reasonable adjustments and practical advice about the support and facilities available to you throughout the University.

To book a confidential appointment go to Student Hub, email AccessAbility@usc.edu.au or call 07 5430 2890.

Links to relevant University policy and procedures

For more information on Academic Learning & Teaching categories including:

  • Assessment: Courses and Coursework Programs
  • Review of Assessment and Final Grades
  • Supplementary Assessment
  • Central Examinations
  • Deferred Examinations
  • Student Conduct
  • Students with a Disability

For more information, visit https://www.usc.edu.au/explore/policies-and-procedures#academic-learning-and-teaching

Student Charter

UniSC is committed to excellence in teaching, research and engagement in an environment that is inclusive, inspiring, safe and respectful. The Student Charter sets out what students can expect from the University, and what in turn is expected of students, to achieve these outcomes.

General Enquiries

  • In person:
    • UniSC Sunshine Coast - Student Central, Ground Floor, Building C, 90 Sippy Downs Drive, Sippy Downs
    • UniSC Moreton Bay - Service Centre, Ground Floor, Foundation Building, Gympie Road, Petrie
    • UniSC SouthBank - Student Central, Building A4 (SW1), 52 Merivale Street, South Brisbane
    • UniSC Gympie - Student Central, 71 Cartwright Road, Gympie
    • UniSC Fraser Coast - Student Central, Student Central, Building A, 161 Old Maryborough Rd, Hervey Bay
    • UniSC Caboolture - Student Central, Level 1 Building J, Cnr Manley and Tallon Street, Caboolture
  • Tel:+61 7 5430 2890
  • Email:studentcentral@usc.edu.au
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