LB5515 - Workplace Dispute Resolution

Credit points:	03
Year:	2009
Student Contribution Band:	Band 3
Administered by:	School of Law Office

As organisations restructure and social and economic pressures escalate, both personal and organisational conflict is increased. There is a high transactional cost to the organisation in not effectively managing conflict. Thus, organisations are recognising the importance of developing and implementing structures to facilitate conflict resolution and co-operative decision-making. This subject looks at major design configurations in developing and operating such structures. It also focuses on employment, HR and Industrial Relations issues for managers and executives, including practical tools and techniques for issue identification, counselling and managing retrenchment.

Learning Outcomes

• demonstrate an understanding of the major types of conflict that occur in workplace settings and the relevant industrial relations regimes and other strategies available for resolving a workplace dispute and their advantages and limitations;
• demonstrate an understanding of the contemporary models and theories of conflict resolution as they apply to workplace disputes;
• demonstrate effective analysis and evaluation of workplace disputes culminating in the development of appropriate strategies for preparation for, design of and engagement in workplace dispute resolution processes as a mediator;
• undertake the application of appropriate problem-solving techniques and skills to effectively mediate the resolution of a workplace dispute.

Graduate Qualities

• The ability to adapt knowledge to new situations;
• The ability to think critically, to analyse and evaluate claims, evidence and arguments, and to reason and deploy evidence clearly and logically;
• The ability to deploy critically evaluated information to practical ends;
• The ability to find and access information using appropriate media and technologies;
• The ability to evaluate that information;
• An understanding of the economic, legal, ethical, social and cultural issues involved in the use of information;
• The ability to select and organise information and to communicate it accurately, cogently, coherently, creatively and ethically;
• The ability to read complex and demanding texts accurately, critically and insightfully;
• The ability to speak and write clearly, coherently and creatively;
• The ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences;
• The ability to lead, manage and contribute effectively to teams;
• The ability to work with people of different gender, age, ethnicity, culture, religion and political persuasion;
• The ability to work individually and independently;
• The ability to appraise information critically;
• The ability to use independent judgment to synthesise information to make intellectual and/or creative advances;
• The ability to think laterally and be original;
• The ability to conceptualise problems;
• The ability to conceptualise and evaluate a range of potential solutions to relevant problems;
• The ability to encompass and use methods and conceptual advances in areas of knowledge cognate to their central area(s) of expertise;
• The ability to communicate the methodology, results and implications of their research in a manner appropriate to different purposes and audiences;
• The potential to resolve conflicts.

Availabilities
Townsville, Block, Study Period 8
Census Date 21-Aug-2009
Non-standard start/end 17-Jul-2009 to 02-Oct-2009
Face to face teaching 17-Jul-2009 to 09-Aug-2009 (Subject delivered in flexible and open learning through Learn JCU and two workshops 17 (evening)/18/19 July and 7 (evening)/8/9 August)
Coordinator:	Mr Sean Johnson
Contact hours:	32 hours workshops/Seminars - There will be two workshops, both of two days duration.
Assessment:	presentations (50%); essays (50%).

Note: Minor variations might occur due to the continuous Subject quality improvement process, and in case of minor variation(s) in assessment details, the Subject Outline represents the latest official information.