Fall Semester 2025 | UNISA Assignment | LRM3701 – Applied Labour Relations
Management Competencies | Complete 2025 Study Guide, Portfolio Answers,
Labour Law Principles & Workplace Relations Analysis
Question 1
What is the primary purpose of a collective bargaining agreement?
A) To establish a formal communication channel between employees and management
B) To outline the rights and responsibilities of both parties
C) To set terms and conditions of employment for a specified period
D) To facilitate informal discussions about workplace issues
Correct Option: C
Rationale:
The primary purpose of a collective bargaining agreement (CBA) is to set forth the terms
and conditions of employment, such as wages, hours, and working conditions, for the
duration of the contract. This formal agreement provides a legal framework that governs
the relationship between the employer and the employees represented by a union.
Question 2
Which of the following is a key responsibility of Labour Relations Managers?
A) Conducting employee performance appraisals
B) Negotiating labour contracts
C) Designing marketing strategies
D) Handling customer service inquiries
Correct Option: B
Rationale:
Labour Relations Managers primarily focus on negotiating labour contracts between the
organization and the unions representing the employees. They play a crucial role in
maintaining positive relationships and resolving conflicts between management and
workers.
Question 3
What is the term for the process by which unions and employers negotiate the
terms of employment?
A) Mediation
B) Arbitration
,C) Collective Bargaining
D) Union Representation
Correct Option: C
Rationale:
Collective bargaining is the process through which unions and employers negotiate
terms of employment, including wages, benefits, workplace policies, and other
employment conditions. This process is essential for fostering a collaborative
environment and addressing the needs of both parties.
Question 4
In the context of labour relations, what does "strike" refer to?
A) A formal evaluation of an employee's work performance
B) A type of workplace injury
C) An employee's resignation from their position
D) A work stoppage initiated by employees
Correct Option: D
Rationale:
A strike is a work stoppage initiated by employees to pressure employers into meeting
their demands regarding working conditions, pay, or other employment terms. Strikes
are a fundamental tool used by unions to assert their rights and negotiate effective
agreements.
Question 5
Which legislation governs the right to organize and collectively bargain in South
Africa?
A) Labour Relations Act 66 of 1995
B) Basic Conditions of Employment Act 75 of 1997
C) Employment Equity Act 55 of 1998
D) Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993
Correct Option: A
Rationale:
The Labour Relations Act 66 of 1995 is the primary legislation governing employees'
rights to organize and engage in collective bargaining in South Africa. This Act lays the
foundation for the establishment of trade unions and regulates disputes in this domain.
Question 6
What is the primary function of a trade union?
,A) To represent employer interests
B) To represent the interests of employees
C) To manage payroll for the company
D) To handle product distribution
Correct Option: B
Rationale:
The primary function of a trade union is to represent the interests of employees. Unions
advocate for better wages, working conditions, and employee rights, providing a
collective voice to achieve these goals through negotiation and political action.
Question 7
Which of the following represents a type of strike?
A) Wildcat Strike
B) Unofficial Strike
C) General Strike
D) All of the above
Correct Option: D
Rationale:
All the mentioned types represent forms of strikes. Wildcat strikes occur without union
leadership's approval, unofficial strikes are not authorized by union bodies, and general
strikes involve a significant number of workers, often across different sectors.
Question 8
What is mediation in the context of labour relations?
A) A binding decision made by a third party
B) A process to facilitate negotiation between parties
C) The act of filing grievances
D) A form of illegal work stoppage
Correct Option: B
Rationale:
Mediation is a voluntary process in which a neutral third party helps facilitate
negotiation between disputing parties. Unlike arbitration, mediation does not result in a
binding decision; it encourages collaboration to find a mutually acceptable solution.
Question 9
, Which body typically represents management during collective bargaining
negotiations?
A) The workers
B) The union representative
C) The mediator
D) Human Resources or legal representatives
Correct Option: D
Rationale:
During collective bargaining negotiations, management is typically represented by
Human Resources professionals or legal representatives who are trained to handle
negotiations effectively and understand the legal implications of the agreements.
Question 10
What is the term for the procedure that establishes a formal method for resolving
labour disputes?
A) Grievance Procedure
B) Collective Bargaining
C) Mediation
D) Arbitration
Correct Option: A
Rationale:
The grievance procedure is a formal process used by employees to address complaints
or disputes regarding their employment. It ensures that issues are resolved
systematically and fairly, often involving multiple steps before escalation.
Question 11
What distinguishes an unfair dismissal from a fair dismissal?
A) Length of employment
B) Lack of proper procedure followed
C) The reason for dismissal
D) Employee's performance records
Correct Option: B
Rationale:
An unfair dismissal occurs when an employee is terminated without following the
proper procedures outlined in employment law or the collective agreement. A fair
dismissal, conversely, follows established protocols and just cause.
Management Competencies | Complete 2025 Study Guide, Portfolio Answers,
Labour Law Principles & Workplace Relations Analysis
Question 1
What is the primary purpose of a collective bargaining agreement?
A) To establish a formal communication channel between employees and management
B) To outline the rights and responsibilities of both parties
C) To set terms and conditions of employment for a specified period
D) To facilitate informal discussions about workplace issues
Correct Option: C
Rationale:
The primary purpose of a collective bargaining agreement (CBA) is to set forth the terms
and conditions of employment, such as wages, hours, and working conditions, for the
duration of the contract. This formal agreement provides a legal framework that governs
the relationship between the employer and the employees represented by a union.
Question 2
Which of the following is a key responsibility of Labour Relations Managers?
A) Conducting employee performance appraisals
B) Negotiating labour contracts
C) Designing marketing strategies
D) Handling customer service inquiries
Correct Option: B
Rationale:
Labour Relations Managers primarily focus on negotiating labour contracts between the
organization and the unions representing the employees. They play a crucial role in
maintaining positive relationships and resolving conflicts between management and
workers.
Question 3
What is the term for the process by which unions and employers negotiate the
terms of employment?
A) Mediation
B) Arbitration
,C) Collective Bargaining
D) Union Representation
Correct Option: C
Rationale:
Collective bargaining is the process through which unions and employers negotiate
terms of employment, including wages, benefits, workplace policies, and other
employment conditions. This process is essential for fostering a collaborative
environment and addressing the needs of both parties.
Question 4
In the context of labour relations, what does "strike" refer to?
A) A formal evaluation of an employee's work performance
B) A type of workplace injury
C) An employee's resignation from their position
D) A work stoppage initiated by employees
Correct Option: D
Rationale:
A strike is a work stoppage initiated by employees to pressure employers into meeting
their demands regarding working conditions, pay, or other employment terms. Strikes
are a fundamental tool used by unions to assert their rights and negotiate effective
agreements.
Question 5
Which legislation governs the right to organize and collectively bargain in South
Africa?
A) Labour Relations Act 66 of 1995
B) Basic Conditions of Employment Act 75 of 1997
C) Employment Equity Act 55 of 1998
D) Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993
Correct Option: A
Rationale:
The Labour Relations Act 66 of 1995 is the primary legislation governing employees'
rights to organize and engage in collective bargaining in South Africa. This Act lays the
foundation for the establishment of trade unions and regulates disputes in this domain.
Question 6
What is the primary function of a trade union?
,A) To represent employer interests
B) To represent the interests of employees
C) To manage payroll for the company
D) To handle product distribution
Correct Option: B
Rationale:
The primary function of a trade union is to represent the interests of employees. Unions
advocate for better wages, working conditions, and employee rights, providing a
collective voice to achieve these goals through negotiation and political action.
Question 7
Which of the following represents a type of strike?
A) Wildcat Strike
B) Unofficial Strike
C) General Strike
D) All of the above
Correct Option: D
Rationale:
All the mentioned types represent forms of strikes. Wildcat strikes occur without union
leadership's approval, unofficial strikes are not authorized by union bodies, and general
strikes involve a significant number of workers, often across different sectors.
Question 8
What is mediation in the context of labour relations?
A) A binding decision made by a third party
B) A process to facilitate negotiation between parties
C) The act of filing grievances
D) A form of illegal work stoppage
Correct Option: B
Rationale:
Mediation is a voluntary process in which a neutral third party helps facilitate
negotiation between disputing parties. Unlike arbitration, mediation does not result in a
binding decision; it encourages collaboration to find a mutually acceptable solution.
Question 9
, Which body typically represents management during collective bargaining
negotiations?
A) The workers
B) The union representative
C) The mediator
D) Human Resources or legal representatives
Correct Option: D
Rationale:
During collective bargaining negotiations, management is typically represented by
Human Resources professionals or legal representatives who are trained to handle
negotiations effectively and understand the legal implications of the agreements.
Question 10
What is the term for the procedure that establishes a formal method for resolving
labour disputes?
A) Grievance Procedure
B) Collective Bargaining
C) Mediation
D) Arbitration
Correct Option: A
Rationale:
The grievance procedure is a formal process used by employees to address complaints
or disputes regarding their employment. It ensures that issues are resolved
systematically and fairly, often involving multiple steps before escalation.
Question 11
What distinguishes an unfair dismissal from a fair dismissal?
A) Length of employment
B) Lack of proper procedure followed
C) The reason for dismissal
D) Employee's performance records
Correct Option: B
Rationale:
An unfair dismissal occurs when an employee is terminated without following the
proper procedures outlined in employment law or the collective agreement. A fair
dismissal, conversely, follows established protocols and just cause.
