Quick questions on HRM strategies: rewards and workplace dispute resolution (HSC Business Studies)

The syllabus names a set of strategies a business deploys across the HR function.

Direct cash and cash-equivalent payments.

For Australian businesses operating internationally:

The Australian system is a ladder from direct discussion to formal litigation.

BHP BMA enterprise-agreement renegotiation (2023-2024). Direct negotiation between BHP and the MEU; bargaining facilitation by the FWC; the new agreement passed the BOOT test and was approved. Negotiations covered base pay, rosters, and the use of labour-hire workers under the "same job same pay" reforms.

Autocratic, persuasive, consultative or participative. Different styles fit different contexts - autocratic suits emergency or compliance-critical environments; participative suits knowledge-work and creative environments.

General or specific tasks; job enlargement (more breadth); job enrichment (more depth and autonomy); cross-functional teams. Well-designed jobs match the worker's capability and motivation to the business need.

Internal v external; targeted talent pools; employer branding; diversity-targeted recruitment. Discussed in detail in HR processes.

Current-skill training v future-skill investment. Continuous-learning culture v role-specific training. Modes covered in HR processes.

Developmental v administrative; annual v continuous; objective-based v competency-based; 360-feedback. The trend is toward continuous, OKR-based, and outcome-focused systems.

Direct discussion between the parties. Fastest, cheapest, lowest-stakes.

Most Australian businesses have a formal grievance procedure - the employee escalates the issue through their manager, then HR, then a senior leader. Provides documented evidence and a structured pathway.

Neutral third party facilitates discussion without making a binding decision. Useful when direct negotiation stalls.

Australia's national workplace relations tribunal. Handles:

Hears appeals from the FWC and significant employment cases. The 2023 Qantas baggage-handler outsourcing case (Federal Court found unlawful outsourcing) went to the High Court, which upheld the original ruling in 2023.