AOS2 Chapter 6 (Workplace Relations)

Question 1

Workplace relations- what is it?

Answer 1

• Concerned about the relationship between an employee and employer contractually, physically, emotionally and practically

Question 2

What are employee’s objectives?

Answer 2

• Make an income
• Career Advancement
• Job security

Question 3

What are unions?

Answer 3

• An organisation to represent and protect the rights of the employees within a particular industry

Question 4

Shop stewards- what are they and what they do?

Answer 4

• Locally elected union official who represents employees at the actual workplace
• Can be contacted straight away for:
  • Representation
  • Contract bargaining

Question 5

Contract bargaining- what is it?

Answer 5

• Process that accounts hours, wage, rules and working condition
• Negotiated between an union and employer which can be agreed upon for all employees whom the union represents

Question 6

What are business’ objectives?

Answer 6

• Make a profit
• Increase market share
• Fulfil market/social need

Question 7

Roles of employers?

Answer 7

• Employees pay and working conditions meet national minimum standard
• Provide a safe and healthy workplace
• Comply with legal regulations

Question 8

Employer associations- what are they and what they do?

Answer 8

• Groups of employers who unite to promote their common interests as well as share information, advice and support for each other
• Provides services like:
  • Business consulting
  • Policy development

Question 9

Types of employer associations- what are they and examples?

Answer 9

• Industry associations:
  • Made up of employers from same industry
  • Master Builders Australia
• Professional associations:
  • Made up of members of a profession
  • Australian Medical Association
• Broad-based or peak bodies
  • Made up of employees from varied industry types
  • Victoria Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Question 11

Human Resource Management objectives- what are they?

Answer 11

• To keep the peace and ensure both sets of objectives are achieved

Question 12

Role of an employee in a business?

Answer 12

• Perform duties with care and diligence
• Follow safety procedures
• Account with all money received and property

Question 13

Human Resource Managers- what are they and what they do?

Answer 13

• Involved with the ongoing management of the employee-employer relationship
• Their role includes:
  • Acts as a mediator between the interests of employers and employees
  • Negotiates with employees on issues of pay and work conditions

Question 14

Fair Work Commission- what are they and what they do?

Answer 14

• Australia’s national workplace tribunal or industrial court
• Has the power to make legal decisions and orders to make workplace relations
• Responsible for:
  • Maintaining and creating safety nets for minimum wages and working condition
  • Provides assistance with resolving workplace disputes
  • Provides support for fair enterprise bargaining

Question 15

Awards- what is it?

Answer 15

• Legally binding minimum requirements for wages and conditions in specific industries
• This may include:
  • Minimum wages
  • Working conditions and overtime
  • Meal breaks

Question 16

Agreements- what is it?

Answer 16

• Made between one or more employees with their chosen trade union representatives as well as two or more employers
• Tailored to meet the needs of employees and employers
• This may follow this criteria:
  • No unlawful terms included
  • Agreement runs for up to four years
  • Dispute settlement procedure included

Question 17

Grievance procedure- what is it?

Answer 17

• A policy that is implemented if there is conflict between an employee and employer within a workplace
• The five steps are:
  • Employee and/or shop steward present complaint to manager
  • Also represented to the employer
  • Discussed with HRM, manager acts as mediator
  • Referred to FWC for dispute resolution
  • Referred for Arbitration

Question 18

Mediation- what is it?

Answer 18

• Where an independent third party known as a mediator help both parties talk about the issue and find an agreement themselves
• There can be conciliation approach where they make their own suggestions the mediator about how it can be resolved

Question 19

Arbitration- what is it?

Answer 19

• A method where the problem is resolved by an independent third party by listening to both sides of the disputes then making a decision which is legally binding for both parties
• This is done by the FWC and decision is made by the Commissioner in the tribunal

Question 20

Disputes- what are they?

Answer 20

• Strike (workers refuse to work)
• Lockout (not allowing employees to work)
• Picket lines (protest, blocked entry)
• Work bans (on part or all job)
• Work-to-rule (working to the bare minimum)