Managing Staff

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2012:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

This subject covers areas of:

• the role and function of management, supervision and leadership;

• skill development for supervisors, work organisation, job design and organisational structures;

• supervisor's role in quality, productivity and goal achievement;

• motivating staff;

• managing conflict and change;

• human resource management functions, recruitment and selection, induction, performance appraisal, compensation, training and development, OHS;

• disciplinary and grievance procedures; and

• business legal obligations in relation to contracts, consumer law, law of tort, employment law, payroll obligations.

This subject introduces the role and functions of people managers, and develops practical skills and knowledge for performing these functions. At the end of the course students should be able to:

• Understand and describe the role and functions of management, supervision and leadership;
• Understand and describe how work is organised in terms of organisational structures and job design;
• Explain the elements of productivity, quality and goal achievement and the supervisor's role in ensuring the achievement;
• Describe the factors that influence individual and group behaviour as a basis for motivating staff, managing conflict and change, and leading teams;
• Understand and apply proper procedures for human resource management functions; and
• Explain in practical terms the obligations of employers and supervisors resulting from laws and regulations.

One two-hour written examination (worth 40%) and two assignments equivalent to 2500 words (each worth 30%).

None.

Cole K (2005), Management: theory and practice, Pearson, Frenchs Forest NSW. (this is effectively the 3rd edition of the text Supervision: The Theory and Practice of First-line Management.)

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

It is expected students will develop:

• Awareness of and ability to utilise appropriate communication technology and methods for the storage, management and analysis of data;
• Highly developed interpersonal skills to allow for effective collaborative and communication;
• An ability to collaborate, exchange ideas and debate both face-to-face and across on-line learning platforms;
• An ability to plan, use time effectively and manage small projects; and
• An appreciation of social and cultural diversity from a regional to a global context.