The focus of this module is on different perspectives on employee relations and the cooperation and conflict that varies between workplaces. The content of the module revolves around the Irish employee relations system and how it impacts on effective People Management practises, policies and strategies. Its aim is to introduce students to various employee relations activities: collective bargaining, negotiating, dispute resolution, grievance handling and the disciplinary process. A further aim is the alignment of these activities to business strategy.

1. Assess different perspectives on employment relations and how they influence the roles of professionals and line managers.

2. Appraise the alignment between employee relations and business strategy and evaluate the impact of employee relations practise on organisational performance.

3. Assess the role of the State and its institutions and actors in the industrial relations process.

4. Critically appraise the advice that external bodies can provide in order to help people professionals make appropriate decisions for their organisation

5. Critically analyse the role of collective bargaining in determining pay and other contractual issues in organisations.

6. Analyse the design and implementation of grievance, disciplinary and other procedures and their fitness for purpose in the organisation.

This module focuses on the role of strategic reward in attracting, motivating and retaining people at work in order to direct the actions and behaviours of individuals, teams and the organisation towards the achievement of organisational goals. It covers the elements required to design, introduce, manage and evaluate effective and fair reward strategies and how the associated policies and practices link and impact on other people practices.

1. Critically evaluate reward strategies and policy frameworks.

2. Evaluate the impact of reward strategies to attract, motivate and retain talent.

3. Analyse a range of approaches to reward including total rewards, contingent pay schemes, employee benefits, non-financial rewards and employee benefits.

4. Analyse pay structures and approaches to establishing pay levels.

5. Critically discuss the key legal requirements relating to pay and reward.

6. Critically evaluate the role job evaluation plays in formulating reward decisions.

7. Analyse the ethical and fairness issues around reward.

This module will provide the learner with the necessary research skills to design and complete a Level 9 research project.

Research methods will enable learners to critically review literature, understand research paradigms and methodologies; methods of data collection and data analysis. The learner will gain the knowledge, skills and competencies to gauge the appropriateness of individual methods. Students will develop an awareness of ethical issues in research and develop research ideas that are aligned with university ethical principles. The validity and reliability of chosen methods will also be discussed. Learners will develop research project management skills that support their independent research project and their own professional development.

1. Identify and define novel research questions related to the area of the modern business environment.

2. Demonstrate a detailed understanding of prominent research designs, methodologies and sampling strategies.

3. Expertly discuss and propose a range of relevant data collection and analysis tools and techniques.

4. Autonomously review and critically evaluate existing knowledge and its application to the student’s chosen research area.

5. Engage with a research ethics review, including an assessment of potential issues surrounding research design and data collection for research purposes.

The objective of the capstone project is to provide an independent, academic and critical appraisal of an issue. The project will allow the learner to independently identify, define and investigate a novel issue evident in relevant academic literature or the real business environment. The exploration of this issue will apply the knowledge, skills and competencies acquired throughout the Masters Programme.

The research topic can be centred on a critical evaluation of a novel research question primarily from an academic perspective. However, this novel research question may also be focussed on a suitable analysis of a real-world problem. Whether the topic is primarily academic or applied, students must conduct a substantial piece of primary research. Students are expected to expertly apply the theoretical materials covered in earlier modules.

This will involve the independent identification, definition and exploration of a research question that is based on a critical evaluation of key publications and literature. Where relevant, students will independently self-identify and address knowledge gaps to explore their chosen topic. Students will demonstrate a detailed understanding of relevant methods of data collection and analysis, which may include primary and secondary data collection, cost-benefit analysis, data analysis and business-focused recommendations as an outcome of the project.

Flexibility in research design will allow students to make a novel contribution while fostering the greatest degree of independent skill's formation that builds on concepts from taught modules. The capstone will feature an opportunity for supervision with an experienced member of the faculty who could provide support to the student on their research journey.

The student will also have an opportunity to present their research findings and articulate the key considerations of their research problem and to provide critical commentary of the academic and policy implications of their research.

1. Independently conduct a research project that expertly explores a novel topic in the academic or relevant business environment.

2. Critically and independently evaluate existing knowledge and its application to the student’s chosen research area.

3. Expertly identify, justify and apply suitable methods of data collection and analysis that effectively investigates the hypothesis formulated as part of the student’s chosen research topic.

4. Critically assess the ethical issues surrounding data collection, usage and storage for the project.

5. Independently analyse data to expertly evaluate the research hypothesis with evidence-based insights.

6. Formulate recommendations based on the analysis that highlight the contribution to the academic or work-based knowledge.

7. Evaluate the success of the project, including future areas for study and reflection on self-learning to address knowledge gaps.

8. Demonstrate a critical understanding of appropriate independent and autonomous project management skills to ensure successful completion of capstone research project.

This module explores strategic workplace equality, diversity and inclusion in terms of communication and training, addressing workplace behaviour and analysis of trends. It will focus on how strategic actions and decisions go beyond legal compliance and focus on the well-being and engagement of the workforce.

1. Critically evaluate the concepts of diversity and inclusion at work.

2. Examine and evaluate a range of theories and data sources in relation to patterns of inequality and segregation in the Irish labour market.

3. Discuss the legal, moral and business cases for managing diversity and developing an inclusive culture.

4. Critically evaluate organisational practicesaimed at managing and promoting diversity and inclusion at work.

5. Discuss the role of key stakeholders, in particular the line managerand trade unions, in managing, promoting and supporting inclusion.

This module will examine a range of employment law issues which might be encountered in a business environment.

The learner will be provided with a thorough overview of employment law in Ireland – from the major sources of employment law, the role and function of the courts and other employment law institutions and the statutory framework under which the employer-employee relationship exists. This includes a thorough analysis of unfair dismissal legislation, equality legislation and other employee protective legislation.

Throughout the above, the module will focus on the defences available to employers, with a view to preparing a defence or settling claims.

1. Appraise the major sources of employment law, the role and function of the courts and other institutions responsible for the administration of employment law in Ireland, including Alternative Dispute Resolution (‘ADR’) options.

2. Evaluate the different legal tests used to determine employment status and assess the management of employment law in respect of specific groups of employees.

3. Assess the law in relation to equality in the workplace, to include unlawful acts of discrimination, defences and gender pay gap.

4. Analyse the law in relation to establishment, alteration and termination of employment contracts.

5. Determine the importance of clear policies and compliance in relation to further areas of people regulation.