Introduction To The Labour Market and World of Work

Question 1

Workplace trends

Answer 1

1. Generation z for internships
2. More millennials as leaders
3. Honesty is the best policy
4. Wider skills gap
5. Continuous job searches
6. Mobile hiring
7. Social media
8. Succession planning
9. Women in power position
10. Non-traditional career paths

Question 2

Australian labour market

Answer 2

11.9 people employed in Australia

More than 2/3 work full time

46% of people who work full time are female

Around 39% of workers are 45 +

16% are young (15 to 24 years)

Question 3

Employment relationship

Answer 3

Relationship between employers and employees

Over terms and conditions of employment and work

When settled: becomes a binding agreement in law, informal understanding between people

Question 4

Implicit

Answer 4

Psychological contract (EXPECTATIONS)

• Commitment is wanted from employer
• Challenging work is wanted from employee

Question 5

Explicit

Answer 5

Employment Contract

Documentation and proof of employment and what is expected of employment from both parties

• Job advertisement
• Job description
• Letters of offer/acceptance
• HR policies and practices

Question 6

Features of employment relationship

Answer 6

Multifaceted continuous relationship

Complex - economic, legal, psychological dimensions

Mutual responsibilities

Tangible and intangible

Indeterminate and incomplete

Cooperation and conflict

Ethics, power and negotiation

Question 7

Actors in employment relationship

Answer 7

The state government

(Institutional actors)
Trade unions Employed associations

(Organisational actors)
Employee Management/employer

Question 8

Theories underpinning employment relations (industrial relations)

Answer 8

• macro/micro
• recognises conflict occurs
• power relations important
• pluralist in focus (recognises varied views)
• state has an important role
• emphasis on broad social relations at work (efficiency/equity, rights and responsibilities)

Question 9

Theories underpinning employment relations (HRM)

Answer 9

• Micro
• Unitarist in focus (cooperation seen as normal/ conflict abnormal)
• External environment and regulatory role understated (expressed in subtle but effective way)
• Emphasis on employee life cycle