2BC3 – Winter 2020

COMMERCE 2BC3
HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT AND LABOUR RELATIONS

WINTER 2020 COURSE OUTLINE – SECTION C04

Human Resources and Management Area
DeGroote School of Business
McMaster University

COURSE OBJECTIVES

As a core course in the Commerce program, this course is designed to: (1) facilitate students’
learning of key principles and concepts of Human Resource Management (HRM) and Labour
Relations; (2) develop students’ awareness of the skills and tools needed for HRM decisions;
and (3) provide students with the opportunity to apply knowledge and skills related to HRM.

INSTRUCTOR AND CONTACT INFORMATION

Section C04
Lucy Djelalian Pepper Mon; Wed and Thurs @ 1:30 - 2:20 PM
Instructor Location: PGCLL 124
Email: djelall@mcmaster.ca
Course Website:
Office: TSH/627 http://avenue.mcmaster.ca/
Office Hours: Tues and Wed 11:00 - 12:00 PM
or by appointment Course TA : Jennifer Ho
Email: hoj47@mcmaster.ca

COURSE ELEMENTS

Credit Value: 3 Leadership: Yes IT skills: No Global view: Yes

Avenue: Yes Ethics: Yes Numeracy: No Written skills: Yes
Participation: Yes Innovation: Yes Group work: Yes Oral skills: Yes
Evidence-based: Yes Experiential: Yes Final Exam: Yes Guest speaker(s): TBD

1
 COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course provides knowledge of the key aspects of managing human resources in
organizations, emphasizing the link between human resource policies and practices and
organizational strategy. Topics include job design and job analysis, staffing, the legal
environment, training and development, performance appraisal, compensation, health and
safety, and labour relations.

LEARNING OUTCOMES
Upon completion of this course you should be able to:
(1) Describe the key principles and concepts of Human Resource Management (HRM) and
Labour Relations;
(2) Appreciate and explain the contribution of HRM to organizational effectiveness;
(3) Articulate key features of evidence-based HRM;
(4) Contribute to the design and implementation of HR practices in organizations;
(5) Apply knowledge and skills related to HRM to a wide range of organizational issues;

Learning outcomes will be accomplished through reading of text and other course material,
assigned work, lectures, presentations, videos, in-class activities, discussions, and other student
contributions.

COURSE MATERIALS

Noe, R. A., Hollenbeck, J. R., Gerhart, B., Wright, P. M., & Eligh, L. E. (2016).
Strategic Human Resource Management: Gaining a Competitive
Advantage, 2nd Canadian Edition. McGraw-Hill: Toronto.

E-book: You also have the option of purchasing 180-day access to an e-book
version of this text (purchase through Campus bookstore).

Other materials: Additional readings and materials will be assigned during the
semester, at the discretion of the instructor.

Avenue to Learn registration for course content, readings and case materials
http://avenue.mcmaster.ca/
Note: Announcements, updates, and scheduling changes will be
posted to the course website so be sure to check website regularly.
NOTE REGARDING ASSIGNED READINGS:
It is your responsibility to ensure that you read the assigned material (text chapters, readings)
and do assigned preparation (discussion questions, self-assessments, exercises, case studies)
before class. Class lectures and activities will assume that the assigned material has been
read/prepared – this will allow more interesting discussion of the topics and issues. Lectures
will highlight and supplement assigned readings. Examinations (midterms and final) will assume
an in-depth knowledge of the subject gained through regular application of effort to a variety of
learning activities.

EVALUATION

Your grade will consist of evaluations of work done individually or in groups, as indicated in the
table below. For assignments done in groups, individual group members will normally receive
the same grade, although adjustment may be made if there is evidence that an individual’s
contribution was inadequate.

Missed tests/exams will receive a grade of zero unless the student has submitted and been
approved for a Notification of Absence or MSAF. Late assignments will be penalized 10% for
each day they are late. Your final grade will be calculated as follows:

Components and Weights

Assignment Part 1 – Job Analysis 2%

Individual or
Assignment Part 2 – HR Planning & Recruitment 10%
Group
Assignment Part 3 – Selection, Performance, Pay 13%

Mid-Term Exams (2 @ 25% each) Individual 50%

Final Exam Individual 25%

Communication and Feedback

Students who wish to correspond with instructors or TAs directly via email must send messages
that originate from their official McMaster University email account. This protects the
confidentiality and sensitivity of information as well as confirms the identity of the student.
Emails regarding course issues should NOT be sent to the Area Administrative Assistants.
Instructors are required to provide evaluation feedback for at least 10% of the final grade to
students prior to Week #9 in the term. Instructors may solicit feedback via an informal course
review with students by Week #4 to allow time for modifications in curriculum delivery.

Course Deliverables

Major Assignment
Students will work in groups of 2, 3, or 4 to complete a three-part assignment, that will require
ongoing work throughout the semester. The due dates for the three parts of the assignment are
as follows:

 Part 1, due Friday, February 14, 11:59 p.m., worth 2% of final grade
 Part 2, due Friday, March 6, 11:59 p.m., worth 10% of final grade
 Part 3, due Friday, April 3, 11:59 p.m., worth 13% of final grade

Please see the following paragraphs for a brief overview of the major assignment; full details
will be posted on Avenue to Learn.

In this assignment, you and your group will apply HR knowledge to analyze a job and make
recommendations about the optimal HRM methods/practices for that job to attract, develop,
and retain high quality employees. For the first part you will find a job posting and then use
online job analysis databases to identify the major responsibilities and tasks of the target job
and the main attributes an individual would need to effectively perform the job. In the second
part of the assignment you will discuss the current labour market and develop a recruitment
strategy for the target job. In the third part, you will recommend the most appropriate and
effective HRM methods for this job – specifically, regarding selection, performance
management, and compensation.

Notes:
1) Although Part 1 of the assignment has only 2% allocated to it, it must be completed
prior to Parts 2 and 3. If Part 1 of the assignment is not completed and submitted,
Parts 2 and 3 will receive a grade of zero.

2) The 3 parts of this assignment have restricted eligibility for MSAF. Students who use
MSAF for any component of this assignment due to illness, etc. may be granted an
extension for that component, but all students will be required to submit all 3 parts
of the assignment. Weights of the individual parts of the assignment cannot be
transferred to the next assignment or to the exams.
 3) You will work with the same group for all 3 parts of the assignment. You cannot
make a change after the first part of the assignment is due to be completed. All
students in the group will receive the same grade, unless there are significant
extenuating circumstances, in which case the instructor will have discretion to adjust
individual grades.

Mid-term Exams (2 @ 25% each)

There are two mid-term exams that are scheduled for the following dates and times:

Friday, February 7, 2020 @ 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. Chapters 1, 2 and 4; location TBD
Friday, March 13, 2020 @ 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. Chapters 3, 5, and 6; location TBD

Each midterm will be composed of approximately 50 multiple choice questions drawn from the
specified chapters as well as material from class lectures, discussions and/or exercises. If the
content coverage of the exam is to be different from what is outlined above, the instructor will
notify the students in advance of the exam date. All sections of COM 2BC3 will write midterms
on the same day at the same time. The content of the midterm exam will be similar for the
various sections, but because there may be some instructor-specific content, you must write
the exam of the section you are registered in. More details will be announced in class. If you
know you will be unavailable for the midterm or if you planned to write it but miss it due to
illness, etc., please see the policy regarding Requesting Relief For Missed Academic Work,
provided later in this course outline.

Final Exam (25%)

The final exam will take place during the December examination period and will be scheduled
by the Registrar’s Office. Similar to the midterms, the format will likely be multiple choice,
based on the assigned readings and material from class periods (e.g., lectures, activities, videos,
discussions). All sections of COM 2BC3 will write the final exam at the same time. The content
of the final exam will be similar for the various sections, but because there may be some
instructor-specific content, you must write the exam of the section you are registered in.

For those who write the midterm exams, the final exam will not be cumulative (i.e., it will be
based on material since the second midterm exam, which is expected to be Chapters 7-12). For
those who do not write a midterm exam, and who receive approval for accommodation, the
final exam may be cumulative at the discretion of the instructor. More information about the
final exam will be provided later in the course.

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

You are expected to exhibit honesty and use ethical behaviour in all aspects of the learning
process. Academic credentials you earn are rooted in principles of honesty and academic
integrity.
Academic dishonesty is to knowingly act or fail to act in a way that results or could result in
unearned academic credit or advantage. This behaviour can result in serious consequences, e.g.
the grade of zero on an assignment, loss of credit with a notation on the transcript (notation
reads: “Grade of F assigned for academic dishonesty”), and/or suspension or expulsion from the
university.

It is your responsibility to understand what constitutes academic dishonesty. For information

on the various types of academic dishonesty please refer to the Academic Integrity Policy,
located at:

www.mcmaster.ca/academicintegrity

The following illustrates only three forms of academic dishonesty:

1. Plagiarism, e.g. the submission of work that is not one’s own or for which other credit
has been obtained.
2. Improper collaboration in group work.
3. Copying or using unauthorized aids in tests and examinations

AUTHENTICITY / PLAGIARISM DETECTION

In this course we will be using a web-based service (Turnitin.com) to reveal authenticity and
ownership of student submitted work. Students will be expected to submit their work
electronically either directly to Turnitin.com or via Avenue to Learn (A2L) plagiarism detection
(a service supported by Turnitin.com) so can be checked for academic dishonesty. Students
who do not wish to submit their work through A2L and/or Turnitin.com must still submit an
electronic and/or hardcopy to the instructor. No penalty will be assigned to a student who does
not submit work to Turnitin.com or A2L. All submitted work is subject to normal verification
that standards of academic integrity have been upheld (e.g., on-line search, other software,
etc.). To see the Turnitin.com Policy, please go to

www.mcmaster.ca/academicintegrity

ONLINE COURSE COMPONENTS

In this course we will be using email and Avenue to Learn. Students should be aware that when
they access the electronic components of this course, private information such as first and last
names, user names for the McMaster e-mail accounts, and program affiliation may become
apparent to all other students in the same course. The available information is dependent on
the technology used. Continuation in this course will be deemed consent to this disclosure.

If you have any questions or concerns about such disclosure, please discuss this with the course
instructor.

REQUESTING RELIEF FOR MISSED ACADEMIC WORK

Students may request relief from a regularly scheduled midterm, test, assignment or other
course components. Please refer to the policy and procedure on the DeGroote website at the
link below:

http://ug.degroote.mcmaster.ca/forms-and-resources/missed-course-work-policy/

STUDENT ACCESSIBILITY SERVICES

Students who require academic accommodation must contact Student Accessibility Services
(SAS) to make arrangements with a Program Coordinator. Academic accommodations must be
arranged for each term of study. Student Accessibility Services can be contacted by phone 905-
525-9140 ext. 28652 or e-mail sas@mcmaster.ca.

For further information, consult McMaster University’s Policy for Academic Accommodation of
Students with Disabilities:

http://www.mcmaster.ca/policy/Students-AcademicStudies/AcademicAccommodation-
StudentsWithDisabilities.pdf

POTENTIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE COURSE

The instructor reserves the right to modify elements of the course during the term. There may
be changes to the dates and deadlines for any or all courses in extreme circumstances. If either
type of modification becomes necessary, reasonable notice and communication with the
students will be given with explanation and the opportunity to comment on changes. It is the
responsibility of the student to check their McMaster email and course websites weekly during
the term and to note any changes.

The University reserves the right to change the dates and deadlines for any or all courses in
extreme circumstances (e.g., severe weather, labour disruptions, etc.). Changes will be
communicated through regular McMaster communication channels, such as McMaster Daily
News, A2L and/or McMaster email.
Related to the above, it is important to note that the course outline serves as a guide to give
you an idea of what to expect in the class sessions. Occasionally, at the instructor’s discretion,
other material may be introduced that is not on the outline. Therefore, it is possible that the
topics will not be covered exactly as outlined below.

If you are absent from class for any reason, you should speak to a classmate to see what
material, announcements, etc. you missed. You are responsible for all material assigned for
class preparation, even if the instructor does not cover that material in class.

RESEARCH USING HUMAN SUBJECTS

All researchers conducting research that involves human participants, their records or their
biological material are required to receive approval from one of McMaster’s Research Ethics
Boards before (a) they can recruit participants and (b) collect or access their data. Failure to
comply with relevant policies is a research misconduct matter. Contact these boards for further
information about your requirements and the application process.
McMaster Research Ethics Board (General board): https://reo.mcmaster.ca/
Hamilton Integrated Research Ethics Board (Medical board): http://www.hireb.ca/

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COURSE POLICIES

Your registration in this course will be considered to be an implicit acknowledgement of the

course policies outlined above, or of any other that may be announced during lecture and/or on
A2L. It is your responsibility to read this course outline, to familiarize yourself with the course
policies and to act accordingly.

Lack of awareness of the course policies cannot be invoked at any point during this course for
failure to meet them. It is your responsibility to ask for clarification on any policies that you do
not understand.
 COM 2BC3 WINTER 2020 COURSE SCHEDULE
Week
Unit TOPIC Key Dates/Deliverables
of:
Introduction to course and
Jan 6 1 Read Chapter 1
Introduction to HRM
Jan 13 2 Strategic HRM Read Chapter 2

Strategic HRM (cont’d) Guest Speaker – Wed, Jan. 22

Jan 20 3
Analysis and Design of Work Read Chapter 4

Analysis and Design of Work

Jan 27 4 (cont’d)
Read Chapter 3
The Legal Environment
Read Chapter 5
Feb 3 5 Recruitment & Selection MIDTERM #1: Friday, Feb. 7 @ 7-8:30 PM
Covering Chapters 1, 2, 4
5 Recruitment & Selection Assignment Part 1 Due Fri., Feb. 14
Feb 10
cont’d (cont’d)
Feb 17 Midterm Recess – No Classes Feb 17 to 21

Feb 24 6 Training & Development Read Chapter 6

Read Chapter 7
Mar 2 7 Performance Management
Assignment Part 2 due Fri., Mar 6
Read Chapters 8 & 9
Mar 9 8 Pay MIDTERM #2: Friday, Mar. 13 @ 7-8:30 PM
Covering Chapters 3, 5, 6
Mar 16 8 Pay (con’t) Read Chapters 10

Mar 23 9 Managing Health & Safety Read Chapter 12

Read Chapter 11
Mar 30 10 Labour Relations
Assignment Part 3 due Fri., Apr 3
Apr 6 10 Labour Relations (cont’d)

Final Exam to be Scheduled by Registrar’s Office between April 13 to 28.