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Unit of study_

WORK2203: Work and Industrial Relations Policy

The aim of this unit of study is to provide an understanding of the institutions and processes underpinning government policies and regulations relating to work, industrial relations and labour markets. The current intensity and importance of policy debates make it all the more important to develop understandings of work and industrial relations policy which are evidence-based, intellectually rigorous and historically informed. This unit is framed by these considerations. Particular topics may include: the development of policy; the workings of parliaments, government departments and agencies, tribunals and courts; wage determination; the influence of lobby groups such as business groups, think-tanks and trade unions; gender, work and family policies; productivity; immigration and skills policies; contemporary policy such as climate change, the gig economy, workforce insecurity and unemployment; and the outcomes and implications of policy change.

Code WORK2203
Academic unit Work and Organisational Studies
Credit points 6
Prerequisites:
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Completion of 24 credit points of 1000-level units of study
Corequisites:
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None
Prohibitions:
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None
Assumed knowledge:
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WORK1003

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. describe how the state regulates employment relations
  • LO2. describe the major issues in industrial relations policy today
  • LO3. apply theoretical frameworks to current debates about industrial relations policy
  • LO4. explain the motivations of the parties seeking to influence industrial relations policy
  • LO5. describe the likely outcomes of changes in industrial relations policy.