Staffing Case Studies

Lesson Overview

This 30-minute lesson for Year 11 Business students in Australia focuses on analysing staffing practices through interactive case studies. Students will explore examples of good and bad staffing decisions, understand the impact on business performance, and apply critical thinking to evaluate staffing strategies. The lesson aligns with the Australian Curriculum v9 for Economics and Business, emphasising decision-making, business operations, and ethical standards.

Australian Curriculum Alignment

Learning Area: Humanities and Social Sciences
Subject: Economics and Business
Year Level: Year 11 (upper secondary level referring to prior content and building critical analysis skills)

Relevant curriculum focus:

• ACHES038: Analyse the interdependence between business objectives, management practices and external factors such as ethical considerations and legal requirements in staffing decisions.
• ACHES039: Evaluate business information to recommend solutions to issues related to staffing and workplace productivity.
• ACHES041: Present informed arguments, using appropriate economic and business terminology, on the effectiveness of business practices{citation from AC9HE9S05 elaborations adapted to Year 11 context】.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will:

• Understand key factors that constitute effective and ineffective staffing practices.
• Analyse real-world staffing case studies to distinguish good staffing from poor staffing outcomes.
• Develop critical evaluation skills by identifying the consequences of staffing decisions on business performance and employee morale.
• Demonstrate understanding of ethical staffing principles and their importance in Australian workplaces.

Resources Needed

• Printed or digital copies of staffing case studies (2-3 cases illustrating both good and bad staffing practices).
• Whiteboard or smartboard for group discussion notes.
• Student worksheets for guided analysis questions.
• Timer for pacing activities.

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Lesson Plan Structure (30 minutes total)

1. Introduction & Context (5 minutes)

• Begin with a brief explanation connecting staffing to overall business success: recruitment, training, retention, and workplace morale.
• Highlight the importance of ethical staffing in Australian business contexts.
• Refer to curriculum focus on evaluating business information for decision-making and understanding management practices (ACHES038, ACHES039).

2. Interactive Case Study Activity (20 minutes)

Step A: Group Formation (2 minutes)

• Divide the class into small groups of 3-4 students (total 4 groups, with one group of 3).
• Distribute 1 case study per group; ensure a mix of good and bad staffing cases.

Step B: Case Study Analysis (10 minutes)

• Groups read their case study and summarize key staffing actions.
• Using a guided worksheet, prompt students to answer:
  • What staffing decisions were made?
  • Were these decisions effective or ineffective? Why?
  • What impact did these decisions have on business outcomes (staff morale, productivity, legal/ethical issues)?
  • What could have been done differently to improve the outcome?

Step C: Group Presentations (8 minutes)

• Each group gives a 2-minute summary of their case and evaluation of staffing practices.
• Encourage peers to ask questions or add insights.

3. Wrap-Up and Reflection (5 minutes)

• Summarise key points discussed regarding good vs bad staffing practices.
• Highlight essential ethical and legal considerations in staffing within Australian businesses.
• Pose reflective questions:
  • How can businesses ensure they hire and manage staff effectively?
  • Why is staffing important beyond simply filling positions?
• Assign a short follow-up task: Students to write a 100-word paragraph on how staffing impacts business success, due next lesson.

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Assessment and Feedback

• Formative assessment through group discussion and presentations: monitor students’ analytical skills and understanding of ethical implications.
• Worksheet completion as a check for comprehension of key factors in staffing decisions.
• Reflective paragraph task to assess individual understanding and ability to apply concepts.

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Differentiation and Engagement Tips

• Provide scaffolding questions on the worksheet for students needing extra support.
• Encourage higher-level students to debate the legal and social implications of poor staffing decisions.
• Use real Australian business examples if possible to contextualise learning.
• Include prompts to consider diversity, equity, and inclusion principles in staffing as a modern business imperative.

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This lesson structure ensures a concise yet rich exploration of staffing through active inquiry aligned with Australian Curriculum principles, particularly emphasising evaluation and ethical considerations in economic and business decision-making.

If desired, I can also provide sample case studies or a sample student worksheet to further support lesson delivery. Would you like me to prepare these?