Recommendation Report
Value: 40%
Due date: 12-Oct-2015
Return date: 02-Nov-2015
Length: 2,500 words
Submission method options
EASTS (online)
Task
Complete and submit a report about a workplace or organisational human resource issue that exists in your current (or a previous) employer and matches one (1) of the below four topics .
Students who do not have any workplace or employment experience are permitted to select an organisation of their choice.

Your report needs to identify and define the particular issue, indicate which of the below subject topics that it fits into, and propose recommendations to alleviate that issue.

Students are required to present their report (including relevant report sections) according to the guidelines indicated in the presentation section below the marking criteria section.

Topics:
1. Contemporary realignment and restructuring
2. The Search for Work-Life Balance
3. The necessity of competitive advantage
4. Australian HR issues within a global context
Notes:
• the word length excludes references.
• students are expected to follow the presentation guidelines detailed below in the presentation section.
For more detail on how submission will be assessed, please consult the marking criteria section below.
Rationale
This assessment is designed to foster reflective thinking and collaborative learning.

This assessment task covers weekly topics 6 – 14 and has been designed to ensure that you are engaging with the subject content in an authentic way. More specifically it addresses to assess your ability to be able to:
• identify contemporary issues in the field of human resource management (HRM) and determine the implications for organisations;
• compare best-practice approaches to contemporary HRM issues within the Australian and international organisational context;
• justify the responses of Australian organisations to contemporary HRM issues in their search for continued competitive advantage; and
• critically analyse how the effects of contemporary human resource academic theory.
Marking criteria

Criteria G r a d e S t a n d a r d s Mark
High Distinction Distinction Credit Pass Fail
Analysis and Reflection(organisational situation effectively analysed based on sound reflection and HR issue clearly defined and represented.) organisational situation analysed and HR issue clearly defined and represented to a profoundly reflective extent. organisational situation analysed and HR issue clearly defined and represented to a very high reflective extent. organisational situation analysed and HR issue clearly defined and represented to a significant reflective extent. organisational situation soundly analysed and HR issue clearly defined and represented. organisational situation not analysed and/or HR issue not clearly defined and represented. /15
Theory and Practice (identification and integration of suitable peer-reviewed and practice-based research sources and examples demonstrating an understanding of relevant subject theoretical, conceptual and practical concepts) Profound identification and integration of suitable peer-reviewed and practice-based research sources and examples demonstrating a profound understanding of relevant subject theoretical, conceptual and practical concepts Very strong identification and integration of suitable peer-reviewed and practice-based research sources and examples demonstrating a very high understanding of relevant subject theoretical, conceptual and practical concepts Strong identification and integration of suitable peer-reviewed and practice-based research sources and examples demonstrating a high understanding of relevant subject theoretical, conceptual and practical concepts Identification and integration of suitable peer-reviewed and practice-based research sources and examples demonstrating an understanding of relevant subject theoretical, conceptual and practical concepts Lack of or insufficient identification and integration of suitable peer-reviewed and practice-based research sources and examples failing to demonstrate an understanding of relevant subject theoretical, conceptual and practical concepts /30
Recommendations (credible recommendations developed and represented) Outstandingly credible recommendations developed and represented. Highly credible recommendations developed and represented. Significantly credible recommendations developed and represented. Credible recommendations developed and represented. Recommendations not developed and represented and/or not credible. /35
Presentation (effective use made of section headings and diagram/s and/or other visual communication devices as per assessment presentation requirements to effectively present values statements and submission overall in a professional and fit for purpose manner at postgraduate level that communicates engagingly and effectively with the reader.) Outstandingly effective use made of section headings and diagrams and/or other visual communication devices as per criterion definition Highly effective use made of section headings and diagrams and/or other visual communication devices as per criterion definition Value-adding use made of section headings and diagram/s and/or other visual communication devices as per criterion definition Effective use made of section headings and diagram/s and/or other visual communication devices as per criterion definition Use not made or insufficient/ineffective use made of section headings and diagram/s and/or other visual communication devices as per criterion definition /10
Referencing and Mechanics(utilisation/formatting of correct in-text and bibliography references, including from peer reviewed sources. Grammar, spelling, expression and structure of writing in submission) More than 10 independent references that are correctly utilised and formatted, both in-text and in the reference section, at least five of which are peer reviewed references. Correct grammar / spelling and a level of expression and structure that adds outstanding value 10 quality references that are correctly utilised or formatted, both in-text and in the reference section, at least four of which are peer reviewed references. Correct grammar / spelling and a level of expression and structure that adds significant value. More than 7 additional references that are correctly utilised or formatted, both in-text and in the reference section, at least three of which are peer reviewed references. Correct grammar, spelling, expression and structure. 7 references that are correctly utilised or formatted, both in-text and in the reference section, at least three of which are peer reviewed references. Generally correct grammar, spelling, expression and structure. Less than 7 references and/or incorrectly utilised or formatted, both in-text and in the reference section, and/or the majority of which come from subject-provided or poor quality sources. Often incorrect grammar, spelling, expression and structure. /10
Presentation
Students are expected to address the following areas in their report, as distinct sections.
Note: students are permitted to amend the titles of the following sections, and also to add in additional sections.

This is a closed assessment. Students are permitted to either name their organisation, or alternatively to change the name to a pseudonym. If naming the organisation students are requested to consult with their supervisor to ensure that the organisation is aware of and comfortable with this.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Organisation
Human Resource Issue
Recommendations
Rationale (Theory and Practice)
Conclusions
References
Appendixes (optional)

Notes:
• the table of contents, references, and appendix sections do not contribute towards meeting the word length requirement.
• student submissions should include the use of clear section headings throughout.
• submissions should also make effective use of visual communication devices such as tables, and/or diagrams, and/or figures, and/or charts in order to more effectively engage the reader and better communicate key points and data.
• this assessment item should be submitted as a MS Word document only.