Outline

Overview

This unit focuses on contemporary and emerging challenges in the world of work and employment relations. It seeks to understand how these issues are understood and experienced by important stakeholders including managers, employees, unions, governments, policy makers and regulators. Key issues of focus include changing workforce demographics, new forms of work, sustainability and work, and flexibility and precarity in work. The unit engages with stakeholders to understand their interests in relation to these key issues changes. Analysis of these issues is informed by scholarly research and industry perspectives. This unit is a core unit in the Master of Human Resources and Industrial Relations.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Work and Organisational Studies
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	WORK5002
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Isabella Dabaja, isabella.dabaja@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 31 August 2026

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Written exam	Final Exam Final written exam (closed book)	40%	Formal exam period	2 hours	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Group Presentation and Discussion Group presentation including Q&A/discussion component	35%	Multiple weeks	10-15 minutes (subject to class size)	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Critical Reading Conversation Critical analysis and discussion of a journal article (individual presentation) scheduled throughout semester	15%	Ongoing	5 minutes	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Contribution	Tutorial participation Participation in class discussion	10%	Ongoing	Ongoing	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
= group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Details 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 guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

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 University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Learning support

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.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Introduction to emerging challenges in industrial relations	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 01	Introduction	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 02	Theoretical perspectives and the changing industrial relations landscape	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 02	A changing world of industrial relations	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 03	IR stakeholders and their interests	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 03	Emerging challenges and theoretical frameworks	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 04	A changing workforce	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 04	IR stakeholders and their interests	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 05	Flexibility and the work and life interface	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 05	A changing workforce	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 06	Reading week — no lecture or tutorials	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 06	Reading week — no lecture or tutorials	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 07	Productivity and efficiency at work	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 07	Flexibility and the work life interface	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 08	Precarity and low wages	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 08	Productivity and efficiency at work	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 09	Gender at work	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 09	Precarity and low wages	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 10	New forms of work, technology and AI	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 10	Gender and work	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 11	Sustainability, climate change and work	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 11	New forms of work, technology and AI	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 12	Group presentations (delivered during lecture)	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 12	Sustainability, climate change and work	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 13	Overview and exam preparation	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 13	Exam preparation	Tutorial (1 hr)

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.

Required readings

See Canvas site

Learning outcomes

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.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

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

LO1. Identify emerging and future challenges in work and employment relations.
LO2. Assess the impact of emerging challenges in work and employment relations on key stakeholders (such as organisations, managers, workers, unions, employer associations, regulators, policy makers and societies at large)
LO3. Collect and use data and other evidence to generate insights on work and employment relations challenges.
LO4. Effectively work as a team member to analyse and/or address a new work and employment relations challenge with consideration for the interests of key stakeholders
LO5. Critically assess academic research on changes in work and employment relations.

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
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

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

In response to student feedback, tutorial participation has been introduced.

Additional information

Business School Policies

Disclaimer

Important: the University of Sydney regularly reviews units of study and reserves the right to change the units of study available annually. To stay up to date on available study options, including unit of study details and availability, refer to the relevant handbook.

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

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

WORK6040: Emerging Challenges in Industrial Relations

Semester 2, 2026 [Normal evening] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links