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Unit of study_

WORK6116: Employment and the Law

Semester 1a, 2024 [Block mode] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit of study examines the legal framework with respect to labour relations in Australia. In particular, it examines the scope of workplace law, the employment relationship, the Federal-State division of legislative power in industrial relations, the industrial arbitration systems, courts, tribunals, agreements and awards as well as discrimination and termination of employment. Current developments in the law and politics of the systems will be referred to throughout the course.

Unit details and rules

Unit code WORK6116
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 Stephen Clibborn, stephen.clibborn@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Supervised exam
? 
Written exam
Examination (3 essays to be completed)
40% May exam week 2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Presentation Presentation
Presentation
15% Multiple weeks 10-15 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO5 LO4 LO3
Participation Tutorial participation
Participation
15% Ongoing Ongoing
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3
Assignment Essay
Essay
30% Week 09
Due date: 22 Apr 2024 at 23:59

Closing date: 02 May 2024
2000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5

Assessment summary

  • Essay: This is a written assignment. Full details of the essay will be provided in week 1
  • Tutorial presentation: In the first tutorial, you will be asked to choose a tutorial presentation topic. Each tutorial presentation will be prepared and presented by a small group of students during the semester. The assessment will be marked based on the joint presentation and a one-page executive summary. The one-page executive summary must be submitted online before the time of the presentation. A copy of your one-page executive summary may be distributed to all students online after the final group's presentation.
  • Tutorial participation: In the early part of the semester, tutorial discussion will focus on specific questions and topics. Later in the semester, discussions will revolve around student tutorial presentations and practical problem-solving. Classes are designed to encourage active participation. Each student will earn a tutorial participation mark. In tutorials, it will be assumed that all students have read, and are ready to discuss, each week’s core readings and relevant current items in the media.
  • Final exam: The final exam is designed to test students’ overall understanding of the unit. The main materials on which the exam will be based are: lectures, essential readings and tutorial discussions

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.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

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.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 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 2023. 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

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Introduction to contents and concepts Block teaching (3 hr)  
Regulation of Work Block teaching (3 hr)  
Week 02 Formation of the work relationship Block teaching (3 hr)  
Minimum Standards Block teaching (3 hr)  
Week 03 Work & Family Block teaching (3 hr)  
Discrimination Block teaching (3 hr)  
Week 04 Bargaining & Agreement Making Block teaching (3 hr)  
Workplace Investigation Block teaching (1.5 hr)  
Health & Safety Block teaching (1.5 hr)  
Week 05 Termination Block teaching (6 hr)  
Week 07 The Future of Work Regulation Block teaching (3 hr)  
Course Overview & Conclusion Block teaching (3 hr)  

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.

Required readings

Joellen Riley Munton (2021) Labour Law: An Introduction to the Law of Work, Oxford University Press, Australia.

Additional readings for this unit can be accessed through the Canvas Reading List and Syllabus pages.

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. Identify and apply the salient rights and obligations imposed on employers and employees,the interplay between different spheres of regulation and the impact on management of labour.
  • LO2. Read and write in a critical, academically-appropriate fashion.
  • LO3. Explain current issues in regulation of employment, as reported in the media and in public policy debates, and their implications
  • LO4. Demonstrate analytical skills and an ability to organise, understand and articulate arguments about these matters in written and verbal communication
  • LO5. Locate relevant and current reading, data and research
  • LO6. Work collaboratively to address complex and problems related to the application of employment laws

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.

This unit is constantly updated and amended based in part on student feedback.

More information can be found on Canvas.

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.