Course Title: Manage employee relations

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term2 2017

Course Code: BUSM8004C

Course Title: Manage employee relations

School: 650T Vocational Business Education

Campus: City Campus

Program: C5369 - Diploma of Logistics

Course Contact: Suzanne Maugeri

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 1466

Course Contact Email: suzanne.maugeri@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Nominal Hours: 80

Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites

None

Course Description

This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to manage employee and industrial relations matters in an organisation. It involves developing and implementing employee and industrial relations policies and plans and managing conflict resolution negotiations.

It applies to those who are authorised to oversee industrial relations and manage conflict and grievances in an organisation. They will have a sound theoretical knowledge base in human resources management and industrial relations as well as current knowledge of industrial relations trends and legislation.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

BSBWRK510 Manage employee relations

Element:

1. Develop employee and industrial relations policies and plans

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Analyse strategic plans and operational plans to determine long term employee relations

1.2 Analyse existing employee relations performance in relation to workforce objectives

1.3 Evaluate options in terms of cost-benefit, risk-analysis and current legislative requirements

1.4 Work with the management team to develop industrial relations policies and plans

1.5 Identify the skills and knowledge needed by management and the workforce to effectively implement these strategies and policies

Element:

2. Implement employee relations policies and plans

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Develop an implementation plan and a contingency plan for the employee relations policies and strategies

2.2 Make arrangements for training and development for identified needs to support the employee relations plan

2.3 Undertake associated employee relations activities to reach agreement on changes required by the organisational policies or implementation plan

2.4 Ensure procedures for addressing grievances and conflict are properly documented

2.5 Communicate key issues about procedures for addressing grievances and conflict to stakeholders

2.6 Review employee relations policies and plans to establish whether they are meeting their intended outcomes

Element:

3. Manage negotiations to resolve conflict

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Train individuals in conflict-management techniques and procedures

3.2 Identify, and where possible alleviate or eliminate, sources of conflict or grievance according to legal requirements

3.3 Check documentation and other information sources to clarify issues in dispute

3.4 Obtain expert or specialist advice and/or refer to precedents, if required

3.5 Determine desired negotiation outcomes, negotiation strategy and negotiation timeframes

3.6 Advocate the organisation's position in negotiation to obtain agreement

3.7 Document, and if necessary certify, the agreed outcomes with the relevant jurisdiction

3.8 Implement agreements

3.9 Take remedial action where groups or individuals fail to abide by agreements

Learning Outcomes


This course is structured to provide students with the optimum learning experience in order to demonstrate the skills and knowledge required to manage employee and industrial relations matters in an organisation. It involves developing and implementing employee and industrial relations policies and plans and managing conflict resolution negotiations.


Details of Learning Activities

A range of in class activities, case studies and face to face delivery will provide a range of learning and teaching experiences for students.

 


Teaching Schedule

The Teaching Schedule for this course is as follows but please note that it is subject to change. 

Week

Week Commencing

Topics

Assessment

1

3 Jul

Induction and orientation information as applicable

Introduction to course

  

2

10 Jul

 Employee Commitment and Satisfaction

  

3

17 Jul

 Employee Commitment and Satisfaction

Assess 1 – handed out

Assess 2 – handed out

4

24 Jul

 Workplace Culture

  

5

31 Jul

 Workforce planning

  

6

 

7 Aug

 Workforce planning

  

7

14 Aug

 Conflict Management

  

8

21 Aug

 Conflict Management

  

28 Aug – 3 Sep  Mid-Semester Break

9

4 Sep

 Presentations / Negotiations

Assess 1 - due

10

11 Sep

 Employment Conditions

 

11

18 Sep

 Employment Conditions

 

12

25 Sep

 Workplace agreements

 

13

2 Oct

 Employee Relations strategies/policies and plans

 

14

9 Oct

 Employee Relations strategies/policies and plans

 

15

16 Oct

Revision and Review

Assess 2 - due

16

23 Oct

Resits and Resubmissions

 

 

The nominal hours associated with this are a guide only and represent the total teaching time and student effort required to successfully complete the course. This may include not only scheduled classes bit also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

 


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources


Overview of Assessment

Assessment Methods

Assessment methods have been designed to measure achievement of the requirements in a flexible manner over a range of assessment tasks, for example:

  • direct questioning combined with review of portfolios of evidence and third party workplace reports of on-the-job performance by the candidate
  • review of final printed documents
  • demonstration of techniques
  • observation of presentations
  • oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of software applications

You are advised that you are likely to be asked to personally demonstrate your assessment work to your teacher to ensure that the relevant competency standards are being met.

Performance  Evidence

You will be required to provide evidence of the following skills:

  • analyse organisational documentation to determine long-term employee relations objectives and current employee relations performance
  • collaborate with others to develop and review industrial relations policies and plans
  • develop implementation and contingency plans for industrial relations policies
  • identify the skills and knowledge needed to implement the plan and organise training and development for self and staff
  • document and communicate strategies and procedures for eliminating and dealing with grievances and disputes
  • train others in conflict-resolution techniques
  • manage industrial relations conflicts, including advocating the organisation’s position during negotiations and documenting, implementing and following up agreements.

Knowledge Evidence

You are required to provide evidence of the following:

  • explain relevant industrial relations legislation or regulations
  • summarise enterprise and workplace bargaining processes
  • summarise key entities in the current Australian industrial relations system, including courts and tribunals, trade unions and employer bodies
  • identify sources of expert advice.

Feedback

Feedback will be provided throughout the semester in class and/or online discussions. You are encouraged to ask and answer questions during class time and online sessions so that you can obtain feedback on your understanding of the concepts and issues being discussed. Finally, you can email or arrange an appointment with your teacher to gain more feedback on your progress.

You should take note of all feedback received and use this information to improve your learning outcomes and final performance in the course.


Assessment Tasks

Assessment Task 1 – Conflict Resolution Assignment

Date handed out:  Week 3
Date and time due: Week 9
Group or Individual: This assignment is to be completed individually or as a group of three.

Purpose: As a manager or small business owner in the Transport and Logistics industry it is important to understand how to plan and implement employee relations policies as well as effectively negotiate and resolve conflict and disputes.  Successful management of industrial relations can avoid costly court proceedings and lengthy disputes that effect productivity.

Requirements:  You will complete the assignment as shown on Blackboard from three perspectives 

  • The first as the operations and resources director of a Transport Company – A fuel transport organisation with an aging fleet of vehicles; you are concerned that a general failure to update the fleet over the years has resulted in a now significant backlog of maintenance. Decreasing margins mean you cannot necessarily afford to fix all safety issues as they arise.
  • The second as a contracted driver for the transport company, who is concerned about the safety of the vehicles, but is equally concerned about their ongoing employment and concerned that if the transport company is shut-down, or trucks taken off the road, they will not be able to earn an income.
  • The third as a representative from the Transport Workers Union – who is seriously concerned about safety in the organisation – and believe that the actions of the transport company are reflective of general complacency in the industry. They wish to make an example of them.

 You will be required to fully research the relative positions of each group and then complete a 300 word summary of the position of each party, and also a 300 word summary of the negotiated outcome.  The total will be 1200 words.

Scope:

In researching the relative position of each party – you should consider:

  • What are the relevant industrial, occupational health and safety, equal opportunity and anti-discrimination legislation that affect your jurisdiction?
  • How would you identify and where possible alleviate or eliminate sources of conflict or grievance in accordance with legal requirements?
  • What policies and procedures might you use to help clarify issues and disputes?
  • What expert or specialist advice is available in your organization for disputes?
  • How do you determine desired negotiation outcomes, negotiation strategy and negotiation timeframes?
  • How do you determine the organisations position to negotiate the required outcome?

Assessment Task 2 – Policy Development and Implementation Strategy

Date handed out:  Week 3
Date and time due: Week 15
Group or Individual: This assignment is to be completed in groups of 3 persons.

Purpose:As a manager or small business owner in the Transport and Logistics industry it is important to understand how to plan and implement employee relations policies as well as effectively negotiate and resolve conflict and disputes.  Successful management of industrial relations can avoid costly court proceedings and lengthy disputes that effect productivity.

Requirements: To demonstrate that you have the required skills and knowledge to effectively manage industrial relations in the workplace you will need to complete a Policy Development and Implementation Strategy for an area of industrial relations (e.g. unfair dismissal, workplace discrimination, bullying and harassment, provisions for staff leave, etc.)

Scope:A template for this strategy document is provided with this document in Blackboard.  It is divided into 4 sections.  All sections must be successfully completed to demonstrate competence in this course.

 As you work through the unit, you will be required to complete and upload sections of your Strategy document for checking and feedback from your teacher as follows:

 Policy Development and Implementation Strategy: Section 1

  • Overview of the Industrial Relations system

 Policy Development and Implementation Strategy: Sections 2 & 3

  • Aim/objectives/provisions of the policy
  • Policy Implementation

 Policy Development and Implementation Strategy: Section 4

  • Managing grievances and disputes

 This will be as a report minimum 3000 words to be submitted with an in class presentation (minimum 10 PowerPoint slides or handout) lasting 10minutes with a 5 min Q&A period total 15mins.


 


Assessment Matrix

Submission Requirements

You should:

  • Ensure that you submit assessments on or before the due date
  • Always retain a copy of your assessment tasks. (Hard copy and soft copy)
  • When you submit work for assessment at RMIT University you need to use a cover sheet that includes a declaration and statement of authorship. You must complete, sign and submit a cover sheet with all work you submit for assessment, whether individual or group work. On the cover sheet you declare that the work you are presenting for assessment is your own work. An assignment cover sheet for submission of each assessment task is available on blackboard.
  • Each page of your assessment should include footer with your name, student number, the title of the assessment, unit code and title and page numbers. For example, Julie Macpherson, s34567, Task 2 – Safety Induction Assessment, OHTH5872C Ensure a Safe Workplace, Page 1.

 

Late Submission Procedures

You are required to submit assessment items and/or ensure performance based assessment is completed by the due dates.

 

If you are prevented from submitting an assessment item on time, by circumstances outside your control, you may apply in advance to your teacher for an extension to the due date of up to seven calendar days.

More Information: http://www.rmit.edu.au/students/assessment/extension

 

Form to use: http://mams.rmit.edu.au/seca86tti4g4z.pdf

 

Where an extension of greater than seven days is needed, you must apply for special consideration.
Applications for special consideration must be submitted no later than two working days after the assessment task deadline or scheduled examination. More Information: http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=g43abm17hc9w (unresolved)

 

Form to use: http://mams.rmit.edu.au/8a5dgcaqvaes1.pdf

 

Re-submissions (VE Programs)

If you are found to be unsuccessful in a particular Course Assessment Task (or you do not submit/attend) you will be allowed one resubmission.  Your teacher will provide feedback regarding what you need to do to improve and will set a new deadline for the resubmission. 

 

If you are still not meeting the assessment requirements you must apply to your Program Manager in writing outlining the steps you will take to demonstrate competence in your course. Your submission will be considered by the Program Team and you will be advised of the outcome as soon as possible.

 

Grading & re-submissions

Re-submissions are not graded and do not contribute to your overall grade for the course.

 

Adjustments to Assessment

In certain circumstances students may be eligible for an assessment adjustment. For more information about the circumstances under which the assessment arrangements might be granted please access the following website:
More Information: http://rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=7usdbki1fjf31

 

Marking Guide (Competency)

You must demonstrate that you have all the required skills/knowledge/elements in the unit of competency you are studying.

 

You will receive feedback on each assessment task that will inform you about your progress and how well you are performing.

 

Marking Guide (Grading)

After achieving competency we then grade your performance in the unit and you will achieve one of the following grades:

 

Final Grades table

CHD Competent with High Distinction
CDI Competent with Distinction
CC Competent with Credit
CAG Competency Achieved – Graded
NYC Not Yet Competent
DNS Did Not Submit for assessment

 

Further information regarding the application of the grading criteria will be provided by your teacher.

Other Information

Academic Integrity


Plagiarism
Plagiarism is a form of cheating in assessment and may occur in oral, written or visual presentations. It is the presentation of the work, idea or creation of another person, without appropriate referencing, as though it is your own.


The penalties for cheating in assessment are severe, whether the cheating involves plagiarism, fabrication, falsification of data, copyright infringement or some other method. Penalties can include charges of academic misconduct, cancellation of results and exclusion from your course. It is also a disciplinary offence for you to allow your work to be plagiarised by another student.

 

Referencing
RMIT Business produce their own referencing guidelines entitled written reports and essays: guidelines for referencing and presentation in RMIT Business which all Business students should use.


RMIT Business referencing guidelines (RTF, 1,286 KB, 52 pages); A supporting Referencing website has been developed for the RMIT Business guidelines.You can find out more about Academic Integrity at RMIT’s Academic Integrity webpage.

 

Group Assessment
A number of your assessments will rely upon group work. This is a critical part of your program as in the workplace you will be regularly required to work in a team environment. Teamwork is also one of the key employability skills for this qualification.

 

The key to being successful in group work is getting to know your classmates and finding out what they want to achieve. You should seek to find a team which shares your key interests and drivers.

If you are facing issues with your group, the key is to resolve them quickly well before assessments are due. If you need to you can seek support from your teacher.

Course Overview: Access Course Overview