Skip to main content
Unit of study_

WORK6012: Industrial Relations Policy

Intensive October, 2021 [Block mode] - Remote

The aim of this unit is to provide an understanding of the policy debates in employment relations with an emphasis on laws, institutions and social processes. It combines theoretical and historical understandings of employment relations in Australia with a detailed examination of the current policies and strategies of the key employment relations players and the role of the state. Topics covered include: the regulatory framework, state and federal governments policies, union policy, employer policy, the practices of Australia's industrial tribunals and responses to current challenges, such as the quest for improved productivity and greater flexibility. Overarching themes include individualisation and decentralisation of employment relations policy in Australia and whether there are more suitable alternatives.

Unit details and rules

Unit code WORK6012
Academic unit Work and Organisational Studies
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Bradon Ellem, bradon.ellem@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Policy essay
Written essay
50% STUVAC
Due date: 22 Nov 2021 at 23:59

Closing date: 06 Dec 2021
2500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6
In-semester test (Open book) Type C in-semester exam End of unit quiz
Multiple Choice/Short Answer
20% Week 03
Due date: 31 Oct 2021 at 16:00

Closing date: 07 Nov 2021
50 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO4 LO6
Presentation group assignment Presentation
Oral presentation and written summary
30% Week 03
Due date: 30 Oct 2021 at 17:00

Closing date: 06 Nov 2021
10 minutes with 3-5 powerpoints max.
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
group assignment = group assignment ?
Type C in-semester exam = Type C in-semester exam ?

Assessment summary

  • Presentation: Students are required to deliver a group presentation and submit a maximum of 3-5 powerpoints of the policy issue summary.
  • Quiz: The end of unit quiz will cover all of the topics examined in the lectures and seminars.
  • Policy essay: Students are required to write a submission calling on the Commonwealth government to make a change in any one policy area of your choosing. The unit coordinator will provide more detail about starting points for this assignment early in semester. Ideally it will be based on one of the policy areas discussed in the subject by the due date and in the textbook. Such an assignment should make the case for the importance of the policy issue and explain why the approach the report suggests is the best way to deal with it.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school. 

Distinction

75 - 84

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

Credit

65 - 74

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

Pass

50 - 64

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school. 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website  provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.  

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Day 1 Lecture 1: Introduction to Industrial Relations Policy: Equity, Efficiency, Voice Lecture 2: Labour Markets and Regulation Today Lecture 3: The Covid Crisis Seminar 1: Industrial Relations Policy – the issues today Daily wrap-up Lecture and tutorial (7 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Day 2 Lecture 4: Policy in Australia – How Did We Get Here? Lecture 5: The Fair Work Act Seminar 2: The State and Policymaking Lecture 6: The Fair Work Commission Daily wrap-up Lecture and tutorial (7 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 02 Day 3 Lecture 7: Efficiency at Work – Productivity Lecture 8: Equity at Work – The Right to Request Seminar 3: Equity and efficiency at work Lecture 9: Voice at Work – Unions and Collective Bargaining Daily wrap-up Lecture and tutorial (7 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Day 4 Lecture 10: Issue 1 - Covid and Fairer Work Lecture 11: Issue 2 - Skills and Immigration Seminar 4: Policy in the time of Covid Lecture 12: Issue 3 - Under-payment Daily wrap-up Lecture and tutorial (7 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 03 Day 5 Lecture 13: The Future of Work and Policy Group presentations Daily wrap-up Lecture and tutorial (7 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Day 6 In-class quiz Lecture 14: Unit wrap-up/discussion of major assignment Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6

Attendance and class requirements

Lecture recordings: All lectures and seminars are recorded and will be available on Canvas for student use. Please note the Business School does not own the system and cannot guarantee that the system will operate or that every class will be recorded. Students should ensure they attend and participate in all classes.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

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

  • LO1. describe and evaluate different perspectives on the role of the state in shaping employment relations
  • LO2. apply theoretical frameworks to an understanding of policy-making
  • LO3. explain in both oral and written work the relationship between industrial relations policy and other aspects of government policy and the influence that employers, unions and lobbyists exercise over policy
  • LO4. evaluate the implications of certain policies for business, unions, employees and other stakeholders
  • LO5. engage in debates with other students and present clear arguments for and against policy directions
  • LO6. demonstrate awareness of industrial and employment relations policies that exist and changes proposed.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

No changes have been made since this unit was last offered.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.