Course Title: Manage Industrial Relations Policies and Processes

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2008

Course Code: BUSM7644C

Course Title: Manage Industrial Relations Policies and Processes

School: 650T TAFE Business

Campus: City Campus

Program: C5137 - Diploma of Business Management

Course Contact : Mechelle Moore

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 1351

Course Contact Email:mechelle.moore@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

Experience in frontline, senior supervisory or management positions

Course Description

This unit covers the range of competencies required of a manager who has day-to-day involvement in, and management of, industrial relations matters within the organisation.  It includes negotiations, conflict management and dispute resolution.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

BSBHR504A Manage Industrial Relations Policies and Processes

Element:

Develop industrial relations (IR) strategies/policies

Performance Criteria:

1. Strategic plans and operational plans are analysed to determine long term industrial relations objectives
2. Existing industrial relations performance is analysed in relation to strategic IR objectives
3. Performance gaps are identified by the management team
4. Options are evaluated in terms of cost benefit and risk analyses
5. Industrial relations strategies/policies are agreed within the mgt team
6. Options to eliminate the gaps over the short to medium term are developed

Element:

Industrial relations strategies/policies and plans are implemented

Performance Criteria:

1. An implementation plan for the IR strategies/policies is developed by the management team
2. The implementation plan includes risk analyses and contingency plans
3. Training and development is provided where appropriate to support the IR plan
4. Contingency plans are prepared in the event that negotiations break down
5. Negotiations are undertaken between employer representatives and employee representatives, to agree to changes required by either group
6. Agreed outcomes of negotiations are documented and certified in the relevant jurisdiction where appropriate
7. Breakdowns in negotiations are managed in accordance with the organisation's IR strategies/policies and legal requirements
8. Outcomes of agreements are monitored and evaluated
9. Remedial action is taken where groups or individuals fail to abide by agreements

Element:

Manage Conflict

Performance Criteria:

1. Problem solving/grievance procedures are agreed and documented
2. Individuals are trained in conflict management techniques
3. Procedures are in place to ensure early advice/notification of grievances/conflicts/disputes within the organisation
4. Causes of conflict/grievance are identified and alleviated/eliminated in accordance with organisational policies and legal requirements
5. Disputes resolution procedures are followed with referral to external bodies as a last resort
6. Specialist/expert advice is sought and considered where appropriate
7. The organisation's position is strongly advocated by appropriate representatives both internally and within relevant jurisdiction
8. Workplaces are monitored to minimise dysfunctional conflict
9. Conflict management procedures are regularly reviewed and improved where appropriate


Learning Outcomes


Refer to competency elements


Details of Learning Activities

Students work individually and in groups, sharing their learning.

Week to week students are required to print the course notes and any handouts provided on the RMIT Learning Hub, read them and bring them to class.
Weekly students are also required to read the chapter from the recommended text relating to that week’s topic.

The learning activities students will take a role in are:
• Case studies
• Videos
• Collaborative classroom activities
• Peer interaction
• Simulations
• Reflection and discussion
• Accessing information on-line
• Workplace activities


Teaching Schedule

Week Topic Notes
Week 1: 11 Feb

Overview of Course 
The Historical Context

 Resources are online and provided in class

Chapter 1 - Cole

Week 2: 18 Feb

 The Stakeholders Chapter 2 - Cole
Week 3: 25 Feb  Legislation Chapter 3 - Cole
Week 4: 3 Mar  Legislation Chapter 3 - Cole
Week 5: 10 Mar  Building a Positive Workplace Relations Climate

Assessment Task 1 Distributed and Outlined

Chapter 4 - Cole
Week 6: 17 Mar  Maintaining a Positive Workplace Relations Climate Chapter 6 - Cole
  Mid Semester Break (Student Vacation)
From Thursday 20th to return to class on Thursday 27th March		  
Week 6: 24 Mar  Maintaining a Positive Workplace Relations Climate Chapter 6 - Cole
Week 7: 31 Mar  Negotiating and Implementing Agreements Chapter 7 - Cole
Week 8: 7 Apr  Project Checkpoint  - Group & Teacher Meetings  In Class Meetings
Week 9: 14 April  Assessment Task 1 - Group Presentation in Class  - Mandatory Attendance  
Week 10: 21 April  Assessment Task 1 - Group Presentation in Class - Mandatory Attendance  Assessment Task 2 Distributed and Outlined
Week 11: 28 April  Managing Disputes and Grievances  Chapter 7 - Cole
Week 12: 5 May  Termination of Employment  Notes Provided On Learning Hub & in Class
Week 13: 12 May  Anti-discrimination Law and Diversity in the Workplace

 Notes Provided On Learning Hub & in Class

Assessment Task 3 Outlined
Week 14: 19 May  Assessment Task 2 - Role Play - Group 1  
Week 15: 26 May  Assessment Task 2 - Role Play - Group 2  
Week 16: 2 June  Study Week  
Week 17: 9 June Assessment Task 3 - Review for Test  
Week 18: 16 June Assessment Task 3 - In Class Open Book Test - Mandatory Attendance  


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

Cole, K, 2007, Workplace Relations in Australia, A practical Guide to Workchoices, Pearson Education, Australia


References


Other Resources

Online learning materials can be accessed by going into the RMIT web site, click on Current Students, under Quick Links in the top right hand corner click the Online Learning Hub link. Click log in and enter your RMIT ID and password, login and click on BUSM7644C - Manage Industrial Relations.

Useful web sites are listed in Cole on page 354


Overview of Assessment

Assessments will incorporate a variety of methods including essays,  in class exercises, a written test, practical problem solving exercises, presentations and role plays. Students are advised that they are likely to be asked to personally demonstrate their assessment work to their teacher to ensure that the relevant competency standards are being met.


Assessment Tasks

Assessment Task 1
Research project
Industrial relations strategies and policies
Workplace analysis

This assessment is in two parts.
Part A. Presentation and major report

20% of total mark group mark i.e. one and the same mark for each student

Part B. Students are to submit a report on 2 presentations, other than those of their own group

15% of total mark – Individual mark and individual report


Assessment Task 2.
Negotiation role-play and report: termination of employment

This assessment is in two parts.
Part A. Role Play and Memo Report
20% of the total mark.

Part B. Report.

Students are required to submit a reflective report on their own and other’s performance in the role play, and outline how they can improve their own performance in meeting the requirements of the Workplace Relations Act.

15% of final mark

Assessment Task 3
Test

A knowledge test comprised of true/false, multiple choice and short answer questions.
This will be an open book exam.
Value: 30% of total mark.

Self Managed Learning
Outside of class students are expected to work on assessments, prepare for role play, do their major reading and research. Students are advised not to leave preparation til the last week the assessment is due, as they will have trouble meeting the deadline. 
 

Important Point:
All assessments are graded. To pass the course, students must submit and pass each individual assessment task and achieve competency in all course elements.

Assessment will incorporate a variety of methods including in class exercises, written tests, presentations and projects. Students are advised that they are likely to be asked to personally demonstrate their assessment work to their teacher to ensure that the relevant competency standards are being met.

Students will be provided with more than one opportunity to demonstrate competence.



Assessment Matrix

  Task 1 Task 2 Task 3
BSBHR504A/01
Develop industrial relations (IR) strategies/policies 		X X X
BSBHR504A/02
Industrial relations strategies/policies and plans are implemented 		X X X
BSBHR504A/03
Manage Conflict 		  X X

Other Information

Teacher Contact
Out of class communication to all students will occur using the RMIT student email. It is essential that you check your email prior to attending each class.

Consultation times will be made available to you in the first week of classes. Consultations may also be arranged via email.

Self Managed Learning
Students will be required to undertake research and assessment practice outside of regular class times. Exercises are provided to the students to facilitate their learning in a self-paced manner and form part of the overall achievement of the competencies in this course. Students are reminded that they are expected to spend an equal amount of time outside of class, furthering their understanding of the concepts being taught, as they do in class to be deemed competent in this course. 

Course Evaluation & Feedback
Feedback on the course itself is welcome at any time to the class teacher, course coordinator or program coordinator. Periodic course evaluation surveys are also conducted.
Students who require general assistance should, in the first instance, approach their class teacher. Secondly, students should contact the Course Coordinator and lastly, the Program Coordinator.

Submission of written work/assessment
All of your written assessment must be lodged by the due date in the format specified for the particular assessment task. Written assessment must have a footer containing: student number, student name, course code, title of assessment and teacher’s name.

Staple your assignment. Please do not place in plastic binders or plastic pockets.

Attach a signed Assignment Cover Sheet to each submission of written work or assessment. Cover Sheets are available near the lifts on Level 13.

You must keep a copy of your assignment/written work, which can be produced if the original is lost or damaged.

Non and Late Submission of Work
If you do not attempt an assessment or meet an assessment deadline and have not been granted Special Consideration, you will not receive a mark for the assessment.
Please note: If you fail an assessment you will be given more that one chance to pass that assessment.

Academic Administration Procedures
Please refer to your student diary or the RMIT web site for all academic procedures.

Course Overview: Access Course Overview