1. COURSE AIMS
This course introduces you to the world of work by providing an overview of employment relations issues. These issues include an introduction to the nature and organisation of work in modern society, explanation of the unique features of the employment relationship and an exploration of the differing interests of employers, workers, trade unions and other relevant stakeholders. Employment Relations therefore provides an introduction to the management of the employment relationship and the role of the State and other social actors in shaping the dynamics of that relationship.
The course will provide you with an understanding of the social, economic and legal framework of employment relations, by exploring both industrial relations and human resource management in an integrated manner. You will develop an understanding of the conceptual and practical nature of the employment relationship in different environments, enabling you to understand issues relating to the design of systems for the management of people and the imperative of social responsibility.
2. LEARNING OUTCOMES
Students should:
· acquire the skills to undertake majors in Employment Relations (ER), Industrial Relations (IR), Human Resource Management (HRM) and Occupational Health and Safety (OHS)
· develop the capacity to think critically about employment relations issues and problems
· improve their ability to work independently and collaboratively.
At the completion of this course, you should:
· understand the role of actors in employment relations
· be able to explain the key processes in managing people
· appreciate the role of conflict and collective conflict resolution at work
· make connections between the modules of the course and their relevance to you personally and professionally
· be able to demonstrate problem-solving behaviour in your university work.
Individual Learning Activity:
Work
(do this in your own time)
These activities will help you tap into the knowledge you already hold about employment relations by making it explicit.
(1) What do you think are the most important aspects of work?
(2) What makes people effective in their jobs?
(3) How can employees get higher salaries when employers want to minimise wage costs?
By completing this activity, you will have begun to think about central themes in this course: what is work; how do organisations promote effective employee performance; and how conflict gets resolved over issues such as pay.
3. CONTENT, ORGANISATION AND TEACHING STRATEGIES
There will be a 2 hour weekly lecture/plenary session and a 1 hour fortnightly tutorial/workshop. The lectures will introduce the conceptual material. In tutorials/workshops, students will apply the conceptual materials in class exercises designed to reinforce course content and assist students in assessment items. The course may include some guest lectures. At a minimum, students are advised to read the relevant sections in the study guide prior to each weekly session and check the announcements on Learning@Griffith.
These topics have been selected to provide you with a broad introduction to issues and concepts of relations at work, the unique nature of the employment relationship, industrial relations and human resource management. Contemporary issues and key theoretical concepts are introduced to allow you to begin developing specialist skills in the management of employment relations and to prepare you for further courses in the Employment Relations, Industrial Relations, Human Resource Management and Occupational Health and Safety majors.
4. TEXT BOOK
In this course we use a customised text – titled ‘Employment Relations’ – that comprises chapters from two separate textbooks:
Nankervis A., Compton R. and Baird, M. (2002) Strategic Human Resource Management, (4th ed) Melbourne: Thomson Education.
Alexander, R., and Lewer, J., (2004) Understanding Australian Industrial Relations (6th ed.), Melbourne: Thomson Education.
This customised textbook is available at the Uni Coop Bookshop and is referred to as:
Nankervis A., Compton R., Baird, M., Alexander, R., and Lewer, J. (2004) Employment Relations, Melbourne: Thomson Education for Griffith University IRL1011 Employment Relations. ISBN 0170114171
In addition, you need to purchase two supplements to the textbook which contains information about the recent Work Choices legislative changes to the industrial relations system in Australia. These supplement are sold separately. Purchase both supplements as they are useful for your essay.
ISBN 0170132811, Industrial Relations supp Alexander, Robyn rrp.95
ISBN 017013282x, Human Res Mgt: Workcoice Supp Baird, Ellem, Cooper, rrp .95
5. TEACHING AND LEARNING ACTIVITIES
Teaching and Learning Activities
Type
Method
Hours/week
Aim
Resource
1
Plenary session
(teacher-directed)
1-2
Provide weekly topic overview and assessment advice
Lecturer/lecture notes
2
Workshop
(teacher-directed)
1
Participate in learning activities and assessment preparation
Tutor
3
Individual study (A)
(self-directed)
1
Weekly topic preparation
Study Guide, Course web page & Text book
4
Individual study (B)
(self-directed)
2-3
Assessment completion
Text book, study guide and library resources
5
Learning@Griffith course web page
(self-directed)
0.5
Web-based material and advice
On-line
1. In the plenary session, the lecturer will provide an overview of the learning modules and the relationship between them. Each week, the lecturer will summarise the learning materials and objectives, the key ideas and issues for each topic and provide advice on assessment, guidelines for study and other matters. These sessions will last for approximately one and a half hours and may involve lecturing, guest lectures or audio-visual materials. Copies of lecture overheads will be posted to the Employment Relations Learning@Griffith website. You are expected to attend each session.
2. The tutor-led fortnightly workshop provides students with a forum where they can participate in experiential learning activities, ask questions, discuss ideas, receive feedback and seek clarification and guidance on learning and assessment items. Classes start on the hour and finish 10 minutes to the hour.
3. At a minimum, you should read the announcements and relevant topic material on Learning@Griffith before attending each weekly plenary session and workshop. You should also do the weekly reading/s from the text book. The exam will be based largely on the textbook, so make sure you keep up with the weekly reading. Read through the relevant sections of this study guide as well.
4. For the assignment, commence by reading the text book. Check the web page for additional resources and advise on how to complete the assignment. Advice on how to undertake the assignment will also begin given in workshops. This Study Guide also contains important assignment information including advice on essay writing and referencing.
5. Extra resources including lecture notes, assignment reading lists, notices and other materials will be placed on the web. You must check the Learning@Griffith site every week.
Credit:ivythesis.typepad.com
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