Course Title: Develop workplace policy and procedures for sustainability

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term2 2013

Course Code: BUSM6394C

Course Title: Develop workplace policy and procedures for sustainability

School: 650T TAFE Business

Campus: City Campus

Program: C6092 - Advanced Diploma of Marketing

Course Contact : Tim Wallis

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 5423

Course Contact Email:timothy.wallis@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Elaine Holstein

9925 5155

Nominal Hours: 50

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 required

Course Description

This unit addresses the knowledge, processes and techniques necessary to develop approaches to sustainability within workplaces, including the development and implementation of policy.

This unit applies to people with managerial responsibility who undertake work developing approaches to create strategies within workplaces, including the development and implementation of policy and includes:

• communicating with relevant stakeholders
• developing and monitoring policies
• reviewing and improving policies. 


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

BSBSUS501A Develop workplace policy and procedures for sustainability

Element:

1. Develop workplace sustainability policy

Performance Criteria:

1.1.Define scope of sustainability policy
1.2.Gather information from a range of sources to plan and develop policy
1.3.Identify and consult stakeholders as a key component of the policy development process
1.4.Include appropriate strategies in policy at all stages of work for minimising resource use, reducing toxic material and hazardous chemical use, and employing life cycle management approaches
1.5.Make recommendations for policy options based on likely effectiveness, timeframes and cost
1.6.Develop policy that reflects the organisation's commitment to sustainability as an integral part of business planning and as a business opportunity
1.7.Agree to appropriate methods of implementation

Element:

4. Review workplace sustainability policy implementation

Performance Criteria:

4.1.Document outcomes and provide feedback to key personnel and stakeholders
4.2.Investigate successes or otherwise of policy
4.3.Monitor records to identify trends that may require remedial action and use to promote continuous improvement of performance
4.4.Modify policy and or procedures as required to ensure improvements are made

Element:

2. Communicate workplace sustainability policy

Performance Criteria:

2.1.Promote workplace sustainability policy, including its expected outcome to key stakeholders
2.2. Inform those involved in implementing the policy as to outcomes expected, activities to be undertaken and responsibilities assigned

Element:

3. Implement workplace sustainability policy

Performance Criteria:

3.1.Develop and communicate procedures to help implement workplace sustainability policy
3.2.Implement strategies for continuous improvement in resource efficiency
3.3.Establish and assign responsibility to use recording systems for tracking continuous improvements
in sustainability approaches


Learning Outcomes


This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to develop and implement a workplace sustainability policy, including the modification of the policy to suit changed circumstances.


Details of Learning Activities

Students will be engaged with a range of learning experiences including a blend of face to face and on-lne delivery, case studies and a client centred project.


Teaching Schedule

Note that this weekly schedule may be subject to changes

 

Week Number Date                             Topic
1 8th July Course Induction
• Course delivery and assessment details
• Course support documents
• Online learning environment
• Grading
• Plagiarism
• Appeals
• Extensions
• Feedback
• Privacy
• Submission requirements
• Resubmission policy
• Where to get support
• Student responsibilities

Pre-Training Review
• Includes skills analysis and Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfers
Overview of the specific technology required for this course:
o Blackboard discussion board
o Wikis
o Weebly
o Blackboard collaborate

Introductory Activities
Developing an on line and in class code of conduct using the wiki technology
Reflections on Discussion Board
 

2 15th July Develop workplace sustainability policy

Introduction to sustainability and sustainability marketing
Sustainability in the workplace

Students will be briefed in clients requirements
 

3 22nd July Overview of the process


• Develop workplace sustainability policy
• Communicate workplace sustainability policy
• Implement workplace sustainability policy
• Sustainability positioning
• Review workplace sustainability policy implementation

Steps and stages
 

4 29th July Communicate workplace sustainability policy
Identify all affected areas and stakeholder and communications management and comprehensive strategy and action plan.

Using tools from last semesters – look at how to prepare a stakeholder plan for each key group outlining expectations, actions etc.
 

5 5th August Develop workplace sustainability policy –research.

1. Business Drivers
2. Vision
3. Objectives of the company that you have selected
Review of weebly for “staff” communications tool
 

6 12th August Assessing the current position
Gap Analysis (strategic gap analysis…tools from last semester modified)
Include pest, occupational health and safety issues etc.

 

7 19th August Developing strategies to address gaps from current to desired practise.
8 26th August Sustainability Marketing – sustainable consumer behaviour
Developing sustainability marketing standards and
strategies

 

  Mid semester Break 2-6 September  
9 9th September Sustainability branding
What is it
How do we develop a sustainability branding strategy
Issues and elements
Developing marketing communications for sustainability – a broader perspective

 

10 16h September Developing action plans – utilising templates provided in previous semester
Identifying risks and developing a risk management strategy as part of plans
 
11 23rd September Developing objectives and systems to monitor implementation and success of strategy and action plans
12 30th September Sustainability – the broader strategic view
Reframing sustainability marketing
Towards a more sustainable economy

 

13 7th October The future of sustainability…..
Complete assessment 3
 
14 14th October Prepare for client presentations
15 21st October Client presentations
16 28th October Group Interviews and feedback, resits if required


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources

These will be provided as part of weekly activities and notes


Overview of Assessment

Students must demonstrate an understanding of all elements of a particular competency to be deemed competent. Assessment methods have been designed to measure achievement of each competency in a flexible manner over a range of assessment tasks.

Assessment will incorporate a variety of methods including assignments, journals, presentation and written or test. 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 Tasks

Students are required to complete 3 tasks. All tasks must successfully be completed to be deemed competent in this unit.

TASK 1 – Student lead group discussion and reflection

Each week 2 or 3 students (as a group) will conduct a brief 15 minute guided discussion on a related topic that interests them. The remaining students will participate in the class discussion, then provide a brief 200 word summary of the most important aspect of the discussion from their perspective. This will take the form of a discussion board entry.

In weeks 5, 9 and 13 a random selection of any 2 weeks entries will be selected from each student for assessment. This means that over the semester a total of 6 entries will be selected and random.

To pass students are required to have completed a minimum of 4. The quality and number of the remaining entries will establish the students individual grade.

Students will be required to participate both in the research and analysis task and take an active part in small group and in class discussions. They will be observed by the teacher for quality research/analysis and contribution to the discussions

Submission Requirements: Students are required to participate in class activities and post discussion board contributions as per the specific criteria to be outlined in class, during the identified weeks. The parameters of the discussion content will be discussed in the first week of class.

To be deemed competent in this task students must run their own discussion group and participate in class activities and satisfactorily participate in the weekly discussion board discussions.

Submission Requirements: Through the discussion board and wiki facilities on Blackboard.

Suggested structure and marking guides will be prepared and discussed during classes

 

 


Task 2 - Sustainability Policy Recommendations draft 1: (Due week 7)

Working in groups of NO MORE THAN 4

Students are to assume the role of management consultant to a medium sized organisation. They have been engaged by this organisation to help prepare for future marketing directions and challenges which includes a review and recommendations for developing, implementing and monitoring an organisation wide workplace sustainability policy and procedures. This will include an organisational sustainability brand platform.

To be deemed competent in this task, students must prepare a comprehensive sustainability draft report that includes:

• Introduction to the challenge and objectives of the strategy.
• A thorough description and analysis of the business and the business the industry operates in. A PEST analysis needs to be used here with specific reference to the political, legal/regulatory issues that impact the business and it’s environment. Specific reference to any systems/ manufacturing requirements also need to be taken into consideration.
• A clear understanding of the business’s current policy (if there is one) and practice in sustainability evidenced though their stated practices and documents release, media generated etc.
• A clear understanding of the organisations current sustainability positioning within it’s various target markets.
• A brief overview of the business units and areas that will be most impacted by the sustainability policy
• A comment on how the success of the policy and procedures will be monitored and measured.
• A stakeholder register, identifying key stakeholders and a draft “staff website” which will form part of the communications strategy (this will be done on weebly)

Submission Requirements: Students are required to provide a written document by the due date uploaded into blackboard. Please note that submissions are not to be emailed.

Suggested structure and marking guides will be prepared and discussed during classes

Task 3. Sustainability Final Report (Due week 13)

• Structured report presentation with contents, references etc.
• Introduction to the challenge and objectives of the strategy.
• A thorough description and analysis of the business and the business the industry operates in a pest analysis needs to be used here with specific reference to the political, legal/regulatory issues that impact the business and it’s environment. Specific reference to any systems/ manufacturing requirements also need to be taken into consideration.
• A clear understanding of the business’s current policy and practice in sustainability evidenced though their stated practices and documents release, media generated etc.
• A clear analysis and statement of the business units and areas that will be most impacted by the sustainability policy
• The sustainability policy statement
• An implementation strategy (with operational strategy)
• A clear description of how the success of the policy and procedures will be monitored and measured.
• A comprehensive stakeholder strategy and communications plan which includes the completion of the “staff” website.
• A recommendation as to how the organisation would incorporate its sustainability “commitment” (as evidenced through their policy) into their broader marketing and specifically marketing communications strategy.
• A clear recommendation as to how the organisation should develop and promote a sustainability brand platform to its various target markets.

Note that as part of this assessment client presentations will be scheduled for week 15.

Submission Requirements: Students are required to provide a written document by the due date uploaded into blackboard. Please note that submissions are not to be emailed.

You should:

• Ensure that you submit assessments on or before the due date. If your performance in the assessment is affected by unexpected circumstances, you should consider applying for Special Consideration. Information on the process and application forms is available at http://rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=ls0ydfokry9rz website.
• 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 work for assessment is available from the Student forms website.
• 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, 324567, Task 2, OHS2345C Ensure safe workplace, Page 1 of 10.


Assessment Matrix

Course Overview: Access Course Overview