BTF5115 Employment law and business risk

Understanding how work is regulated in Australia today is essential for anyone working in a business-related field. This unit aims to equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate the dynamic institutional and regulatory framework that shapes the law relating to employment. It is suitable for students seeking to understand their rights and obligations as employees, employers and/or managers in business. This unit seeks to equip students to constructively engage with employment-related legal issues that commonly arise in business contexts as an employee and/or employer and understand the legal channels by which disputes can be resolved. Issues covered in this unit include: characterising working relationships; understanding the contract of employment; managing organisational change; and addressing risks arising under laws relating to discrimination and work health and safety.

This unit will provide students with a historical and theoretical understanding of employment regulation, while having a predominantly practical focus. Students will explore common legal issues that arise in workplaces by using real-world examples and will be given opportunities each week to apply and discuss the law in a business context. Students will also be encouraged to think about work-related issues that feature in the media and bring to class any questions and insights based on recent developments and their own experiences.