INR517 Legal Frameworks of Employment Relations (8)

This subject introduces students to the historical, constitutional and theoretical underpinnings of the current industrial/employment relations environment in Australia and its associated legal frameworks. It aims to provide students with an understanding of the social, economic and political issues that impact on policy and legislative change and how these are played out in the workplace.  Students will be introduced to the various legal and policy frameworks and gain an appreciation of their context, development and application.  In particular, students will gain an appreciation for the role of the Fair Work Commission and the impact of FWC decisions on the interpretation and implementation of the legislative provisions. The subject also focuses on non legislative, ethical and human centred approaches to resolving industrial issues including negotiation, conflict resolution and advocacy.

Availability

Session 2 (60)
Online
Bathurst Campus

Continuing students should consult the SAL for current offering details: INR517. Where differences exist between the Handbook and the SAL, the SAL should be taken as containing the correct subject offering details.

Subject Information

Grading System

HD/FL

Duration

One session

School

School of Business

Enrolment Restrictions

Postgraduate students only

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:
  • be able to analyse and evaluate the historical, constitutional and theoretical underpinnings of industrial relations and associated legal frameworks in Australia;
  • be able to synthesise issues related to workplace relations, policies, industrial relations parties, and aspects of Australian employment law including modern awards, fair work, work health and safety, workers' compensation and rehabilitation schemes, anti-discrimination and other legislative requirements;
  • be able to evaluate workplace-related scenarios/cases by identifying the relevant issue(s), stating the relevant principles, discussing how these relate to the legal or policy issue(s), and suggesting potential remedies;
  • be able to review, evaluate and employ negotiation, conflict resolution and advocacy skills relevant to industrial relations policy and practice; and
  • be able to apply the legislative provisions and communicate information to ethically resolve issues related to policy, practices and/or risk to a range of stakeholders using a variety of mediums.

Syllabus

This subject will cover the following topics:
  • The evolution of Australian employment relations
  • Employment regulation in Australia: sources of employment law, Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth), Work Health & Safety Act 2011 (Cth) and Anti-Discrimination Act
  • Regulatory bodies and their stakeholders
  • Employment relationships, employment contracts and enforceable employment conditions
  • Minimum employment standards and the Modern Awards
  • Enterprise bargaining and industrial action
  • Grievances, dispute and enforcement
  • Unfair dismissal, wrongful termination, processes and remedies
  • Workplace safety
  • Discrimination, victimisation and whistleblower protection
  • The future evolution of employment relations in Australia

Indicative Assessment

The following table summarises the assessment tasks for the online offering of INR517 in Session 2 2021. Please note this is a guide only. Assessment tasks are regularly updated and can also differ to suit the mode of study (online or on campus).

Item Number
Title
Value %
1
Oral reflection: australian labour law
20
2
Synthesising employment law: casual employment
40
3
Parliament house workplace relations report
40

The information contained in the CSU Handbook was accurate at the date of publication: June 2022. The University reserves the right to vary the information at any time without notice.

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