Workplace Relations in the Modern Workplace
Part of the CBS Executive Education Masterclass Series

This masterclass is designed for those who need practical knowledge on everyday issues in employee relations, including:
- recruitment
- conflict and dispute resolution
- bullying
- underperformance
- anti-discrimination
- health and safety
- ending employment.
Why complete this masterclass?
As modern workplaces grow increasingly complex, organisations must ensure that they maintain their knowledge of workplace and employee relations.
Australia’s Fair Work Ombudsman recently delivered celebrity chef George Calombaris a $200,000 ‘contrition’ fine for underpaying more than 500 of his current and former employees a total of $7.8 million.
That well-publicised case highlighted that Australia’s industrial relations landscape is complex and precarious. It is particularly tricky for organisations that lack in-house IR practitioners and employment lawyers.
Our one-day masterclass, is designed to address challenges faced by those in corporate, non-profit, local government, consultancy along with SME owners in all sectors – HR professionals in organisations without discrete IR expertise would also find this masterclass highly valuable.
Who is the program for?
This masterclass is suited for those in corporate, non-profit, local government and consultancy organisations, along with small and medium business owners across all sectors. Human resource professionals in organisations without discrete industrial relations expertise will also find this one day masterclass highly valuable.
Program details
Date: 12 March 2020
Time: 9am – 4.30pm
Where:137 St Georges Tce, Perth 6000 (map)
Cost:
Curtin Alumni / current students: $479
General: $529
Inclusive of a delicious morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea.
Key takeaways
Facilitated by Associate Professor Kantha Dayaram and Dr Eileen Aitken-Fox, the program draws on professional practice, case studies, case law and simulations.
You will participate in role plays and debates, and learn the tools and techniques to resolve tricky HR and IR issues.
Specifically, you will learn:
- the obligations of SME owners and HR professionals under the Fair Work Act 2009
- where to access accurate information about employment conditions and minimum standards
- about employee recruitment and what to do when things don’t work out
- how to manage employees, particularly poor performance and excessive absenteeism
- how to recognise and address interpersonal conflict and bullying
- about your dispute resolution obligations
- legislation and requirements for a safe workplace.
Being practical and hands-on, the masterclass will provide you with the skills to manage potential HR issues efficiently with limited resources.
Program schedule
Time | Title | Facilitators |
---|---|---|
9:00am – 10:30am | • High-level view of the Fair Work Act: what you need to know • Hiring and engaging employees | • A/Prof. Dayaram • Dr Aitken-Fox |
10:30am – 11:00am | Morning tea | |
11:00am – 12:30pm | Team conflict, bullying and dispute resolution | A/Prof. Dayaram |
12:30pm – 1:15pm | Lunch | |
1:15pm – 2:30pm | Underperforming employees and excessive absenteeism | Dr Aitken-Fox |
2:30pm – 3:00pm | Afternoon tea | |
3:00pm – 4:30pm | • Ending employment: unfair dismissal and adverse action • Health and Safety | • A/Prof. Dayaram • Dr Aitken-Fox |
Resources
Recommended reading
- Houston, C., C. Vedelago and H. Mills Turbet. “George Calombaris underpayment scandal blows out to $7.8 million”, The Age, July 18, 2019