Manage Industrial Relations

This module discusses how organisations can manage industrial relations in the workplace to minimise grievances and conflict and ensure achievement of their strategic objectives. It begins by defining industrial relations then looks at the link between industrial relations and human resource management. Next, it provides an overview of the Australian industrial relations system including the parties involved, the laws and the current issues. This is followed by sections focusing on workplace industrial relations including how organisations can foster a harmonious industrial relations climate and the processes of enterprise and workplace bargaining. Sources and types of grievance and conflict are examined, as well as ways of managing these including negotiation, grievance and conflict management and dispute resolution procedures.
The final weeks of the module concentrate on how to develop, implement, monitor and evaluate an industrial relations strategy to ensure that it aligns with organisational objectives and delivers the intended performance outcomes.

Learning Outcomes

  • develop industrial relations strategies/policies
  • implement industrial relations strategies/policies and plans
  • manage negotiations, conflict and disputes

Content Areas

  • Introduction to Managing Industrial Relations
  • The Australian Industrial Relations System
  • Current Trends and Issues in Industrial Relations
  • Workplace Relations
  • Enterprise and Workplace Bargaining Processes
  • Grievance and Conflict
  • Negotiation
  • Managing Grievances, Conflicts and Disputes
  • Developing an Industrial Relations Strategy
  • Implementing an Industrial Relations Strategy
  • Monitoring and Evaluating an Industrial Relations Strategy
  • Industrial Relations Review

Module Duration and Workload

This module involves a total of 60 hours per term of study including a course work component, educator contact, research and related study activities, translating to approximately 5 hours of study per week. Students will need to allocate additional time for the completion of assessment activities related to the module.