People & Organisation

[SEM A 2024] Employment Relations - A1

Briefly introduce the context of the case study, highlighting the issues of wage fraud and exploitation of workers within the 7-Eleven franchise in Australia. State the objective of the report, which is to provide an analytical perspective on the employment relations issues within 7-Eleven and offer recommendations for future bargaining strategies.

DETAILED INSTRUCTION

A/ ASSIGNMENT RECAP

  • Select one case study: 7-Eleven, McDonald's, or QANTAS.

  • Identify and analyze a specific issue where employee entitlements have been compromised.

  • Propose approaches as an employee for addressing the situation of compromised entitlements.

  • Discuss strategies for involving colleagues, the union, management, and the state in the resolution process.

  • Analyze the problem using Employment Relations theory, considering legal and organizational actors.

  • Present in clear language, avoiding jargon, explaining ER terms and acronyms.

  • Use language that is accessible to non-ER focused managers.

B/ KEYWORD EXPLANATIONS

  1. Employee Entitlements: Rights and benefits legally due to employees, such as wages, leave, and safe working conditions.

  2. Employment Relations (ER): The study of the laws, regulations, and practices that govern the relationship between employers and employees.

  3. Collective Bargaining: The process of negotiating between employers and a group of employees aimed at agreements to regulate working conditions.

  4. Trade Union: An organization formed by workers to protect their rights and interests.

  5. Non-Union Representation: Employee representation mechanisms in workplaces where trade unions are not present.

  6. Regulatory Standards: Legal requirements that govern workplace conditions, employee rights, and employer responsibilities.

  7. Fair Work Commission: Australia's national workplace relations tribunal (or equivalent bodies in other countries) that regulate employment relations.

  8. Enterprise Agreement: A collective agreement made at an enterprise level between employers and employees about terms and conditions of employment.

  9. Employee Voice: The means by which employees can express their views and have input into decision-making at their workplace.

  10. Employee Involvement: The direct participation of staff in activities that allow them to contribute to decision making processes associated with their work.

  11. Workplace Mediation: A process where an independent party assists employers and employees to resolve workplace disputes by agreement.

  12. Arbitration: A process where a dispute is resolved by an impartial adjudicator whose decision the parties have agreed, or legislation has decreed, will be final and binding.

  13. Good Faith Bargaining: The requirement that parties to a collective bargaining process engage with each other honestly and constructively.

  14. Industrial Action: Actions taken by employees or employers to settle a workplace dispute, such as strikes or lockouts.

  15. Compliance: Adherence to laws and regulations governing employment.

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C. DETAILED INSTRUCTION 

I. Introduction (Approximately 150 words)

  • Briefly introduce the context of the case study, highlighting the issues of wage fraud and exploitation of workers within the 7-Eleven franchise in Australia. 

  • State the objective of the report, which is to provide an analytical perspective on the employment relations issues within 7-Eleven and offer recommendations for future bargaining strategies.

Example: 

The 7-Eleven convenience store chain has found itself at the center of a scandalous wage fraud crisis in Australia. In Brisbane alone, Pranay Alawala's experience of underpayment is not unique but rather indicative of a systemic exploitation of international students within the company. This case exemplifies a clear breach of employee entitlements with workers like Pranay and Sam Pendem, a former store manager, not only being paid half the award rate but also being subjected to intimidation tactics exploiting their visa conditions. The implications of such treatment extend far beyond individual grievances, revealing critical vulnerabilities in employment relations systems. This essay seeks to dissect the 7-Eleven case to understand the extent of the malpractices and propose effective strategies for stakeholders, including employees, management, and regulatory bodies, in rectifying and safeguarding against such exploitation. Through this exploration, the role of each party in fostering a fair and equitable work environment will be critically analyzed, highlighting the vital importance of upholding employment standards and the consequent repercussions when they are compromised.

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