Students

MGMT2040 – Workplace Relations

2025 – Session 2, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Nikola Balnave
nikki.balnave@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
MGMT1007
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

This unit provides an institutional analysis of the macro issues related to managing people at work. These institutions are examined within the broader macroeconomic environment which considers the economic, political, social, and institutional context of work. A stakeholder perspective is used to analyse the way management, labour and the state and other key stakeholders interact to structure the employment relationship. Topics include the regulatory framework, bargaining structures and processes, conflict and co-operation, and the impact change and reform has on institutional actors.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • ULO1: Identify and describe the different theoretical approaches to the study and practice of employment relations.
  • ULO2: Identify internal and external stakeholders in the employment relationship and critically analyse the way that these stakeholders interact to shape the regulation of contemporary work practices.
  • ULO3: Critically evaluate a range of ethical issues pertaining to the employment relationship and the type of impact these issues can have on stakeholders in contemporary employment relationships.

General Assessment Information

Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (of the total possible mark) will be applied each day a written assessment is not submitted, up until the 7th day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a grade of ‘0’ will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted. Submission time for all written assessments is set at 11.55pm. A 1-hour grace period is provided to students who experience a technical concern.  

For any late submissions of time-sensitive tasks, such as scheduled tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, and/or scheduled practical assessments/labs, students need to submit an application for Special Consideration.

 

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Skills Development: Industrial Instruments in Practice 30% No 24/10/2025
Skills Development: Contemporary Industrial Relations Analysis 30% No 05/09/2025
Professional Practice: Enterprise Agreement Comparative Analysis 40% No 07/11/2025

Skills Development: Industrial Instruments in Practice

Assessment Type 1: Portfolio
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: 24/10/2025
Weighting: 30%

 

The purpose of this assessment to help you understand how employment rights and conditions are shaped by industrial instruments, by interpreting and comparing enterprise agreements and awards.

You will work in teams to identify, analyse, and compare provisions in enterprise agreements and relevant awards.

Skills in focus:

Work readiness; Collaboration; Communication; Discipline knowledge

Deliverable: Group portfolio, accompanied by short (10 min) presentation.

Group assessment.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Identify and describe the different theoretical approaches to the study and practice of employment relations.
  • Identify internal and external stakeholders in the employment relationship and critically analyse the way that these stakeholders interact to shape the regulation of contemporary work practices.
  • Critically evaluate a range of ethical issues pertaining to the employment relationship and the type of impact these issues can have on stakeholders in contemporary employment relationships.

Skills Development: Contemporary Industrial Relations Analysis

Assessment Type 1: Case study/analysis
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: 05/09/2025
Weighting: 30%

 

The purpose of this assessment is to develop your ability to critically analyse a contemporary industrial or employment relations issue, and apply ethical reasoning and stakeholder analysis to real-world workplace dynamics.

You will respond to a structured set of questions based on a selected case, drawing on set readings, lectures, and independent research to evaluate stakeholder interests and ethical considerations.

Skills in focus:

Critical thinking & problem solving; Discipline knowledge; Communication.

Deliverable: Written reponse (1,000 words max.).

Individual assessment.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Identify and describe the different theoretical approaches to the study and practice of employment relations.
  • Identify internal and external stakeholders in the employment relationship and critically analyse the way that these stakeholders interact to shape the regulation of contemporary work practices.
  • Critically evaluate a range of ethical issues pertaining to the employment relationship and the type of impact these issues can have on stakeholders in contemporary employment relationships.

Professional Practice: Enterprise Agreement Comparative Analysis

Assessment Type 1: Project
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: 07/11/2025
Weighting: 40%

 

The purpose of this assessment is to develop your ability to interpret and compare enterprise agreements and awards, enhancing your understanding of contemporary employment relations regulation and workplace rights.

You will build on your group's portfolio and conduct further research to compare the two enterprise agreements your group investigated. You will compare each enterprise agreement to the relevant award, evaluating the implications for employee wages, conditions, and power dynamics in employment relations.

Skills in focus:

Work readiness; Collaboration; Communication; Discipline knowledge

Deliverable: Written report (1,500 words max.)

Individual assessment.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Identify and describe the different theoretical approaches to the study and practice of employment relations.
  • Identify internal and external stakeholders in the employment relationship and critically analyse the way that these stakeholders interact to shape the regulation of contemporary work practices.

1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:

  • the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
  • the Writing Centre for academic skills support.

2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation

Delivery and Resources

Please see iLearn

Unit Schedule

Please see iLearn

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct

Results

Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit connect.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

Academic Integrity

At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Academic Success

Academic Success provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

Student Services and Support

Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:

Student Enquiries

Got a question? Ask us via the Service Connect Portal, or contact Service Connect.

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/. 

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Unit information based on version 2025.03 of the Handbook