ASSESSMENT 1 Assignment Weighting: 20% Duration/Length: 1000 Words (+/- 10%) Description: This assessment task requires you to read a number of short…

ASSESSMENT 1

Assignment

Weighting: 20%

Duration/Length: 1000 Words (+/- 10%)

Description:

This assessment task requires you to read a number of short documents and then answer a range of questions. The topic under investigation is Boxing Day trading.

Read the following sources (posted on iLearn) which provide a range of stakeholder perspectives on the issue.

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Hiini, R. (2017), ‘Archbishop Fisher: Boxing Day trading undermines family and cohesion’, Catholic Weekly, 20 September. Available at https://www.catholicweekly.com.au/archbishop-fisher-boxing-day-trading-proposal-undermines-family-time-and-community-cohesion/

Inside Retail (2017), ‘NSW Boxing Day trade to continue’, 11 August. Available at https://www.insideretail.com.au/blog/2017/08/11/nsw-boxing-day-trade-to-continue/

Murphy, J. (2017), ‘Tamworth and New England stores stay open on Boxing Day’, Northern Daily Leader, 11 August. Available at http://www.northerndailyleader.com.au/story/4849174/boxing-day-trading-to-stay-for-regional-nsw/

Nine News (2017), ‘Boxing Day changes ‘ruin Christmas’: union’, 21 September. Available at https://www.9news.com.au/national/2017/09/21/10/04/boxing-day-changes-ruin-christmas-union

Patty, A. (2017), ‘Workers feel pressured with Boxing Day trading extended across NSW’, Sydney Morning Herald, 13 August. Available at http://www.smh.com.au/business/workplace-relations/workers-feel-pressured-with-boxing-day-trading-extended-across-nsw-20170811-gxu63g.html

Pearson, A. (2017), ‘Union backlash as Boxing Day trade laws pass Parliament’, Illawarra Mercury, 21 September. Available at http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/4939326/union-backlash-as-boxing-day-trade-laws-pass-parliament/

Perrottet, D. (2017), ‘Boxing Day Shopping Here to Stay in NSW’, Media Release, 10 August. Available at https://www.treasury.nsw.gov.au/sites/default/files/2017-08/20170810%20-%20Media%20Release%20-%20Perrottet%20-%20Boxing%20Day%20Shopping%20Here%20to%20Stay%20in%20NSW.pdf

Take the Time (2018), ‘Workers robbed of Boxing Day for no reason; December retail figures drop’, Media Release, 7 February. Available at http://www.takethetime.org.au/media-release-workers-robbed-boxing-day-no-reason-december-retail-figures-drop/

Tin, S. (2017), ‘MP crosses floor over Boxing Day trading laws’, The Daily Telegraph, 21 September. Available at https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/mp-crosses-floor-over-boxing-day-trading-laws/news-story/ebdefedda2885cd89265f5f95208a5c4

Questions:

1. What is the employer / NSW Coalition Government case for Boxing Day trading? Why would not all retailers (ie. employers) support the relaxation of Boxing Day trading restrictions?

2. Retailers can only use employees who ‘freely elect to work’ on Boxing Day. Why then are the union (SDA), the Labor Party and church groups concerned? Would all employees oppose the relaxation of Boxing Day trading restrictions? Why/why not?

3. How could the controversies around Boxing Day trading be understood from the ethical approaches of (1) Consequentialism and (2) Deontology?

4. After weighing up all the evidence and arguments, do you agree with the relaxation of Boxing Day trading restrictions? Explain your position.

Aims and Objectives

This exercise is designed to start students thinking about the range of perspectives held by various stakeholders on employment relations issues. When it comes to debates about employment relations matters, there is no black and white, no right or wrong. Employment relations stakeholders often have different and sometimes competing views, and expected alliances can often shift depending on the issue. Students are encouraged to approach any employment relations matter objectively, recognise that there will be a number of perspectives on the issue, and critically evaluate all viewpoints before arriving at a conclusion.

Please read the Marking Guide. The marking guide sets out the criteria against which your assignment will be marked.

Students are responsible for attaching a marking guide and cover sheet to the assignment.

Academic Honesty

  • You must distinguish clearly between your own words and analysis and those of your sources. You must do this by providing appropriate citations using the Harvard method.
  • Failure to provide appropriate citations is plagiarism. See the academic honesty policy.
  • Your list of references should include only material cited in the assignment.
  • This is an individual assessment task – if a submitted assignment is assessed as not being the work of a single author then academic honesty rules apply

Marking Guide: Assessment 1 – Assignment

Student Name:

Total Mark: /20

Articulation of issue(s) – Issue is clearly stated and succinctly yet comprehensively explained.

Analysis -The issue is analysed using relevant and appropriate ethics frameworks to develop a comprehensive exploration of the issue(s), taking into account diverse/competing ethical and IR stakeholder perspectives.

Position – The analysis is interpreted, evaluated, integrated and/or synthesised to support and provide evidence for a clear overall argument or position, demonstrating independent well-reasoned judgement.

Critique – Opinions, assumptions, influences, biases, constraints, weaknesses and/or limitations are appropriately identified and responded to (eg. questioned, evaluated, interpreted).

Presentation – Information is organised and managed to establish relevance/value/contribution to the issue. Text demonstrates effective planning and is clearly and appropriately structured for the purpose of the assessment.

Attribution – Information sources are appropriately acknowledged and referenced.

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