Students

MGMT2040 – Workplace Relations

2026 – Session 1, Online-scheduled-weekday

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
MGMT2050
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

Late Submission Penalties

If you submit your assessment late, 5% of the total possible marks will be deducted for each day (including weekends), up to 7 days. Submissions more than 7 days late will receive a mark of 0.

Example 1 (out of 100):

If you score 85/100 but submit 20 hours late, you will lose 5 marks and receive 80/100.

Example 2 (out of 30):

If you score 27/30 but submit 20 hours late, you will lose 1.5 marks and receive 25.5/30.

Extensions

Automatic short extension: Some assessments are eligible for automatic short extension. You can only apply for an automatic short extension before the due date.

Special Consideration: If you need more time due to serious issues and for any assessments that are not eligible for Short Extension, you must apply for Special Consideration. Need help? Review the Special Consideration page for further details.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due Groupwork/Individual Short Extension AI assisted?
Professional practice: Enterprise agreement comparative analysis 40% No 07/06/2026 Individual Yes Open AI
Skills development: Industrial instruments in practice 30% No 24/05/2026 Group No Open AI
Skills development: Contemporary industrial relations analysis 30% No 02/04/2026 Individual Yes Open AI

Professional practice: Enterprise agreement comparative analysis

Assessment Type 1: Problem-based task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: 07/06/2026
Weighting: 40%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: Yes
AI assisted?: Open AI

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 and communication
  • Discipline knowledge
  • Critical thinking and problem solving 

 

Deliverable(s): Written report [max 1500 words]

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.

Skills development: Industrial instruments in practice

Assessment Type 1: Portfolio
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: 24/05/2026
Weighting: 30%
Groupwork/Individual: Group
Short extension 3: No
AI assisted?: Open AI

The purpose of this assessment is 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 and communication
  • Discipline knowledge

 

Deliverable(s): 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: Problem-based task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: 02/04/2026
Weighting: 30%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: Yes
AI assisted?: Open AI

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 and problem solving
  • Discipline knowledge
  • Communication skills
  • Global, ethical and environmental citizenship 

Deliverable(s): Written report [max 1000 words]

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.

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.

3 An automatic short extension is available for some assessments. Apply through the Service Connect Portal.

Delivery and Resources

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 2026.03 of the Handbook