MGN410 Employment Relations


To view more information for this unit, select Unit Outline from the list below. Please note the teaching period for which the Unit Outline is relevant.


Unit Outline: Semester 1 2024, Gardens Point, Internal

Unit code:MGN410
Credit points:12
Coordinator:Erica French | e.french@qut.edu.au
Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of the teaching period.

Overview

The rationale for this unit stems from the theoretical and practical dimensions of the relationship between employers and employees. The broad focus is on the employment relationship, the organisation of work and relevant management strategies. The unit also analyses the context of labour - management relations, particularly industrial relations institutions and labour markets. The unit will examine legislative, economic, political social and cultural perspectives on work and work organisations. The unit will explore socially responsible approaches in employment relations and the design of work and the inequalities of current structures.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:

  1. Critically analyse the nature of work and workplace negotiations through evaluating theories, strategies and practices that are relevant to contemporary labour-management relations.
  2. Demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of employment relations and the management of the employment relationship through appropriate application of frameworks.
  3. Competently apply theoretical and conceptual knowledge of employee relations through a series of presentations, exercises and/or case studies.
  4. Demonstrate social and ethical understanding by making decisions that are informed by social and cultural understanding applied to the employment relationship.

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 and inequalities in the labour market.


QUT Business Capabilities (Postgraduate)

The content and assessment in this unit are aligned to a selection of the following set of QUT Business Capabilities, also known as Assurance of Learning Goals (AoLs). Developing these capabilities will assist you to meet the desired graduate outcomes set at QUT and equip you with the knowledge and skills to succeed in your chosen career.

Knowledge & Technical Skills (KS)
1.1 Demonstrate and apply integrated and advanced discipline and professional practice knowledge, including knowledge of relevant research principles and methods.
1.2 Apply technical, technological and technical research skills to organise and interpret discipline knowledge, including theory and practice, to investigate business issues.

Higher Order Thinking Skills (HO)
2.1 Critically investigate real world business issues and problems drawing on analysis, evaluation and synthesis of discipline knowledge, including theory and practice.
2.2 Exercise creativity and intellectual independence and make informed decisions and judgements in planning, designing, and executing strategic and research-based responses to address real world issues and problems.

Professional Communication (PC)
3.1 Use information literacy skills and communicate effectively and professionally in written forms and using media appropriate for diverse purposes, contexts and audiences.
3.2 Use information literacy skills and communicate effectively and professionally in oral forms appropriate for diverse purposes, contexts and audiences.

Teamwork & Self (TS)
4.1 Exercise self-reflection and accountability in applying knowledge and skills for own learning and effective practice.
4.2 Apply teamwork knowledge and skills for effective collaboration across a range of complex activities and contexts.

Social, Ethical & Global Understanding (SE)
5.1 Demonstrate and apply knowledge of ethical and legal principles and practices of business in critically analysing and effectively responding to complex business issues.
5.2 Demonstrate and apply knowledge of socially responsible behaviour in analysing and addressing business issues and critically reflect on the responsibilities and impacts of organisations in national and international business contexts.

Learning Approaches

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 and other media will be used, where appropriate. Lecture power point slides and supplementary readings will be made available on the MGN410 Canvas site. Information on assessment tasks and requirements are provided on the Canvas site.

This unit uses text authentication tools that assist students to develop the academic skills required to correctly use and cite reference material as well as to check citations and determine possible instances of plagiarism. You will be expected to submit draft and/or final versions of one or more assignments using these text authentication tools. Your Unit Coordinator will provide detailed information on how the software will be used in this unit.

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

Students will receive feedback in various forms throughout the semester which may include:

  • Informal: worked examples, such as verbal feedback in class, personal consultation
  • Formal: in writing, such as checklists (e.g. criteria sheets), written commentary
  • Direct: to individual students, either in written form or in consultation
  • Indirect: to the whole class

Assessment

Overview

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:

  • Receive feedback on your learning as you progress toward the development of knowledge, understanding, skills and attitudes (formative assessment); and
  • Demonstrate your learning in order to achieve a final grade (summative assessment).

Students may be required to attend campus or an assessment centre for the purposes of assessment, regardless of the attendance mode for the unit.

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Online test

Your knowledge of the first six week's theoretical material and your ability to apply it to an employment situation will be tested via multiple choice questions and employment scenarios.

Formative or Summative: Formative and Summative

Business Capabilities (AoL goals): KS (1.1), HO (2.1) SE (5.1)

This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period.

Weight: 40
Length: 90 minutes
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Week 7
Related Unit learning outcomes: 2, 4

Assessment: Case Study

The case analysis will cover all aspects of the unit. Three short answer questions will be required to be addressed from a possible five questions from topics dealt with in class from the second half of the semester. One essay question will be required to be addressed on a major issue of the case study. 

Due Date: The questions for the case study will go live on QUT MGN410 Canvas at the beginning of the exam period, and answers must be submitted to Canvas later during the exam period, on a date to be advised.

Formative or Summative: Summative

Business Capabilities (AoL goals): KS (1.1), HO (2.1), PC (3.1), SE (5.1)

This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period.

Weight: 60
Length: 3,500 words
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Central Exam Period
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 4

Academic Integrity

Students are expected to engage in learning and assessment at QUT with honesty, transparency and fairness. Maintaining academic integrity means upholding these principles and demonstrating valuable professional capabilities based on ethical foundations.

Failure to maintain academic integrity can take many forms. It includes cheating in examinations, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, and submitting an assessment item completed by another person (e.g. contract cheating). It can also include providing your assessment to another entity, such as to a person or website.

You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.

Further details of QUT’s approach to academic integrity are outlined in the Academic integrity policy and the Student Code of Conduct. Breaching QUT’s Academic integrity policy is regarded as student misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Resources

There are no out-of-the-ordinary costs associated with this unit.

Resource Materials

Prescribed text(s)

Bray, Waring, Cooper and MacNeil (2018) Employment Relations Theory and Practice, 4th edition McGraw Hill, AUS, which will be available in the QUT Library for borrowing.

Additional readings are provided via QUT Readings for some weeks.

Further resources, which may be useful for assessment items, can be found in the Course Reserve section of the library, and through QUT Readings.

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.

Standards/Competencies

This unit is designed to support your development of the following standards\competencies.

QUT Business Capabilities (Postgraduate)

HO (2.1): Critical Analysis

Relates to: ULO1, ULO3, Online test, Case Study

KS (1.1): Discipline and Professional Practice Knowledge

Relates to: ULO2, ULO3, Online test, Case Study

PC (3.1): Professional Communication (Written)

Relates to: Case Study

SE (5.1): Ethical and Legal Understanding

Relates to: ULO4, Online test, Case Study

Course Learning Outcomes

This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.

BS11 Master of Business

  1. Demonstrate and apply integrated and advanced discipline and professional practice knowledge, including knowledge of relevant research principles and methods.
    Relates to: ULO2, ULO3, Online test, Case Study
  2. Critically investigate real world business issues and problems drawing on analysis, evaluation and synthesis of discipline knowledge, including theory and practice.
    Relates to: ULO1, ULO3, Online test, Case Study
  3. Use information literacy skills and communicate effectively and professionally in written forms and using media appropriate for diverse purposes, contexts and audiences.
    Relates to: Case Study
  4. Demonstrate and apply knowledge of ethical and legal principles and practices of business in critically analysing and effectively responding to complex business issues.
    Relates to: ULO4, Online test, Case Study

BS39 Graduate Certificate in Business

  1. Demonstrate and apply integrated and advanced discipline knowledge, including knowledge of relevant research principles and methods.
    Relates to: ULO2, ULO3, Online test, Case Study
  2. Critically investigate real world business issues and problems drawing on analysis, evaluation and synthesis of discipline knowledge, including theory and practice.
    Relates to: ULO1, ULO3, Online test, Case Study
  3. Use information literacy skills and communicate effectively in written forms and using appropriate media for diverse audiences.
    Relates to: Case Study
  4. Demonstrate and apply knowledge of ethical or legal principles and practices of business in responding to complex business issues.
    Relates to: ULO4, Online test, Case Study