Assessment Task 1 - Project work
Develop workplace policy and procedures for sustainability
SUBMISSION DETAILS
STUDENT NAME
STUDENT ID BATCH NO.
DATE OF
SUBMISSION PLACE OF
ASSESSMENT
Assessment description
This assessment requires the learner to complete each activity with applicable solutions related to workplace policy and procedures for sustainability at a workplace.
Assessment Instructions
1. This is you are required to compete activities at the end of each training session. 2. Read through the activity very carefully after training is complete for a criterion.
3. When instructed to do so, provide solutions to the activity.
4. You can use workbook and any other sources of information during this formative assessment.
5. Address the activities and their terminologies in your solutions.
6. You are allowed an applicable time limits during training to complete the activity after completion of each criterion of the workbook.
7. The written solutions should be completed using clear English.
8. The assessment task is due on the time and date specified by your trainer/assessor.
9. Any variations to this arrangement must be approved in writing by your trainer/assessor.
10. See specifications below for details. Based on your handwriting, if you find the space is not enough, please write on a separate sheet and attach at the back of this paper and refer to the activity number.
Specifications to submit (details of items for submission)
You must provide written solutions to all the activities using a pen or word-processed document as instructed by your assessor.
Performance objective
To test your ability to perform ongoing basis after completion of each criterion of the workbook including foundation skills required to develop workplace policy and procedures for sustainability for a workplace.
Assessment context
Simulated work environment/or real workplace situation. This assessment will be conducted within the training facility in the specific training room allocated for the trainee/s during the training sessions planned for assessment using simulated workplace scenario with the access to legislative and regulatory documents, office equipment and materials facilitated by your assessor.
Assessment will be conducted in a safe environment where evidence gathered demonstrates consistent performance of typical activities experienced in the general administration field of work and include access to office equipment and resources.
Required resources
1. Assessment task, assessment instructions and case study.
2. Computer with Internet access and word-process software (MS Word/MS Excel/or relevant Mac software etc.).
3. Simulated workplace policies and procedures.
4. Workspace, table, chair and stationery and access to
a. relevant legislation
b. workplace documentation and resources
c. case studies and, where possible, real situations
Your assessor will be looking for:
Evidence of the ability to:
• scope and develop organisational policies and procedures that comply with legislative requirements and support the organisation’s sustainability goals covering at a minimum:
o minimising resource use o resource efficiency o reducing toxic material and hazardous chemical use o employing life cycle management approaches o continuous improvement
• plan and implement sustainability policy and procedures including:
o agreed outcomes o performance indicators o activities to be undertaken o assigned responsibilities o record keeping, review and improvement processes
• consult and communicate with relevant stakeholders to generate engagement with sustainability policy development, implementation and continuous improvement
• review and improve sustainability policies.
Project work
You are required to undertake this project work related to your own workplace or simulated workplace as specified by your assessor. If you choose to use your own workplace, you need to have access to workplace policies and procedures, key provisions of relevant legislation and office equipment and resources. If you choose to use the simulated workplace provided to you by the institution, you will have the access to office equipment and resources.
Scenario
Your manager (either your own workplace or simulated workplace) has asked you to prepare a document which addresses the following activities. Provide written solutions to the following 11 activities using written word-process document.
Activity 1
1. Explain sustainability – in the context of interaction between business organizations and the environment. 100 words.
2. These days it is expected that business organizations will develop and implement sustainability policies. What things might be covered in the scope of a sustainability policy? 130 – 150 words.
3. A number of green or sustainability practices might be considered when developing policies. Suggest six practices that could be of value.
Activity 2
It will be necessary to gather sustainability information from a number of sources. List 12 useful sources.
Activity 3
Who are the stakeholders for an organization’s sustainability policies and practices and why should they be identified and consulted? 250 – 300 words.
Activity 4
1. In a short sentence explain what a strategy is.
2. Develop and list six strategies that might be implemented to support sustainability.
3. What strategies might you recommended for the industry sector in which you work, or intend to work? (These recommendations should be different from those listed in the answer to the previous question.) Explain why you would make these recommendations. Consider time frames, likely effectiveness and costs. 200 – 250 words.
4. What is a life cycle management approach?
Activity 5
1. These are three different aspects of sustainability. These need to be considered when developing policies and business plans. Explain what these aspects are and what they mean in terms of policy planning and business planning. 250 – 300 words.
2. In approximately 250 words explain how organizations can benefit if sustainability is an integral part of business planning, with agreement on appropriate methods of implementation, outcomes and performance indicators. Can sustainable business operation contribute to an organization’s competitive edge?
Activity 6
1. Explain how a business can promote its workplace sustainability policy, including the expected outcomes, to key external stakeholders. 100 words.
2. How can employees (internal stakeholders) be informed about their roles and responsibilities with regard to implementation, activities to be undertaken, and the expected outcomes? What information will they require? 200 words.
Activity 7
What are organizational procedures and how can they be communicated to employees? 200-250 words.
Activity 8
Explain continuous improvement and apply it to resource efficiency. 180-200 words.
Activity 9
Why is it important to establish and assign responsibility for recording systems that will track continuous improvements of sustainability approaches? 200-220 words.
Activity 10
1. Why is it necessary to document and record the outcomes of sustainability policy implementation? 100 – 120 words.
2. Explain to whom it might be necessary to five feedback, what feedback might be required and in what form might feedback be given. 150 – 200 words.
Activity 11
1. Recorded data and information might indicate trends that remedial action. What is a trend and what types of trend might be indicated be performance data that is collected within the organization? 100-120 words.
2. How can trend analysis be used to identify opportunities for remedial action and continuous improvement?
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Assessment Task 2- Case study
Develop, communicate and implement workplace sustainability policy
SUBMISSION DETAILS
STUDENT NAME
STUDENT ID BATCH NO.
DATE OF
SUBMISSION PLACE OF
ASSESSMENT
Assessment description
Using the simulated workplace documents and the case study scenario on the Appendix 1, you are required to analyse information from a range of sources to plan and develop sustainability policy for the simulated workplace.
Assessment instructions
1. Review the simulated workplace (Australian Hardware) to develop workplace policy and procedure for sustainability.
2. Read the workplace scenario on the Appendix 1 to determine the current workplace policy and procedure for sustainability.
3. Review the “Australian Hardware Sustainability Policy” on the appendix 2.
4. Analyses information from a range of sources including workplace documentation including plans, policies, legislation and regulations to plan and develop sustainability policy.
5. This task requires you to meet with your manager (assessor) and other stakeholders. Form the individuals with specific roles to role-play as agreed by your assessor.
6. Complete the following assessment task activities during the allowed assessment date/s and time/s.
7. The assessment task is due on the date specified by your assessor.
8. Any variations to this arrangement must be approved in writing by your assessor.
9. Submit your work with any required evidence attached.
10. See the specifications below for details of submission requirements. Time allowed for the assessment task is 3 hours.
Specifications to submit
You must complete and submit:
1. Solutions to nine (9) activities
2. Meet stakeholders in a role-play as the activity 10 requires and play-the role.
3. stakeholder consultation plan.
Performance objective
To test your ability to demonstrate the skills and knowledge required to plan and develop sustainability policy for a workplace.
Assessment context
Simulated work environment/or real workplace situation. This assessment will be conducted within the training facility in the specific training room allocated for the trainee/s during the training sessions planned for assessment using simulated workplace scenario with the access to legislative and regulatory documents, office equipment and materials facilitated by your assessor.
Assessment will be conducted in a safe environment where evidence gathered demonstrates consistent performance of typical activities experienced in the general administration field of work and include access to office equipment and resources. Review the documents of simulated workplace ‘Australian Hardware’ and the scenario on the Appendix 1 and provide solutions to plan and develop sustainability policy.
Your assessor will be looking for:
your ability to analyse information from a range of sources to develop workplace policy and procedure for sustainability including:
• scope and develop organisational policies and procedures that comply with legislative requirements and support the organisation’s sustainability goals covering at a minimum:
o minimising resource use o resource efficiency o reducing toxic material and hazardous chemical use o employing life cycle management approaches o continuous improvement
• plan and implement sustainability policy and procedures including:
o agreed outcomes o performance indicators o activities to be undertaken o assigned responsibilities
o record keeping, review and improvement processes
• consult and communicate with relevant stakeholders to generate engagement with sustainability policy development, implementation and continuous improvement
• review and improve sustainability policies.
Your task
Complete the following project activities
1. Read the following scenario and review simulated workplace information in Appendix 1 including the sustainability policy in Appendix 2 and legislative requirements therein and define the scope of sustainability policy for Australian Hardware.
2. Determine and write down what information and the sources of information you need to plan and develop sustainability policy.
3. Identify the relevant stakeholders that you need to consult as a key part of the policy development process and develop a stakeholder consultation plan (Use appendix 3 format).
4. Identify the areas of workplace operation and resource use for sustainable approach. Identify at least five areas to focus sustainability on.
5. Make your recommendations for policy options based on likely effectiveness, timeframes and cost of implementation.
6. Develop policy that reflects the organisation’s commitment to sustainability as an integral part of business planning and as a business opportunity.
7. Develop appropriate methods of implementation including, outcomes expected and performance indicators for implementation of sustainability policy and procedure.
8. Develop strategies to implement for continuous improvement in resource efficiency of the store.
9. Establish a good recording system to track continuous improvements in sustainability approaches and assign responsibility to managers.
10. Role-play activity
After you have developed and implemented above activities and using the solutions you have developed, you are required to meet with key stakeholders (other managers of the store). organise at least two of fellow trainees as assessor agrees) and the CEO (Your Assessor) to perform the following role-play activities:
a. Review the sustainability goals of your organisation and the policy scope and its implementation including documented outcomes.
b. Provide feedback to key personnel and stakeholders about sustainability policy implementation.
c. Promote your sustainability policy to stakeholders discussing the expected outcomes.
d. Communicate procedures to help implement the workplace sustainability policy.
e. Discuss and find out the achievement of the policy outcome based on the successes and failures of implementation.
Case study Scenario
Your role
You are the Store Manager who is accountable for the performance of the whole Wollongong store. You have got five managers reporting to you. You have been assigned to design and develop sustainability practice of the store and promote it across the other stores. The CEO of Australian Hardware needs environmental sustainability policy to aim to integrate a philosophy of sustainable development into all the activities of the organization and to establish and promote sound environmental practice in all our operations. He asked you to develop workplace policy and procedure for sustainability taking the following actions:
1. Develop and communicate workplace sustainability policy
2. Implement workplace sustainability policy
3. Review workplace sustainability policy implementation
The CEO said that it is our policy to:
• Recycle as much waste material as possible
• Avoid the use of paper wherever possible. For example, sending invoices and quotes via email as PDF files.
• Recycling equipment that is no longer of use to the company. For example, giving away items such as computers and printers that we no longer use.
• Keep energy usage low. For example, making use of low energy light bulbs throughout and ensuring that computers are shut down after work.
• Reuse waste paper (from the printer) where possible, making use of the blank side for notes etc.
• Purchase products made with recycled paper. For example, paper towels, printer paper
• Purchase products with a lower environmental impact. For example, environmentally safe soaps and detergents.
• Use low impact transport for travel to and from work and travel for business. For example, we use public transport to attend meetings and offer a Cycle Scheme to encourage staff to cycle to work or to carpool.
• Avoid unnecessary travel by making use of instant messaging, video and audio conferencing, telephone and email.
So, get together with your employees today and write up your own Sustainability Policy. Make it viewable in your work area and find new ways to decrease your store’s carbon footprint. It’s good for the environment and good for business.
---End of Scenario---
Appendix 1- Simulated Workplace Australian Hardware
Australian Hardware was founded by Percy Greenwright in 1921 and was known as Percy’s Home Goods until 1952. In 1982, Australian Hardware became a public company and was floated on the Australian Stock Exchange.
The Greenwright family has retained a controlling interest in the company since its founding. At present, Percy Greenwright’s great grandson, Holden Greenwright, is chair of the board of directors and CEO.
Australian Hardware owns and operates 138 stores throughout Australia, with plans to continue expanding at the rate of 2–3 stores per year.
Products and service offerings
Australian Hardware supplies products in the following categories to general and trade customers:
? timber, hardware, tools, paint, housewares, outdoor and garden.
Business locations
Australian Hardware stores are located around Australia in the major cities and in the larger regional centers. In areas experiencing growth in population and significant growth in residential building, the demand for products sold by Australian Hardware is considered likely to grow.
Appendix 2
Australian Hardware Sustainability Policy
Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to explain Australian Hardware’s approach to sustainability. Australian Hardware takes its commitment to the sustainable and socially responsible use of resources seriously.
Scope
The scope of this policy covers all employees and contractors of Australian Hardware in ensuring that sustainable practices are adopted and maintained at the Wollongong Store.
Responsibility
Responsibility for the implementation of this policy rests with employees and management of Australian Hardware.
The partners and business owners are responsible for:
• following and improving the implementation of the sustainability plan and sustainability principles
• the effective implementation and regular review of sustainability procedures, including yearly environmental audit
• consultation with employees regarding sustainability issues and changes to legislation and/or working practices which may affect the workplace
• providing and maintaining a sustainable system of working practices
• providing support, training, and supervision to employees to ensure sustainable practices are carried out, including relevant training where appropriate
• the provision of adequate resources for employees to meet the sustainability commitment.
Individual employees are responsible for:
• following all sustainability policies and procedures
• ensuring that they report all potential and actual risks to partners or managers/supervisors; risk management must consider triple bottom line related risk
• following the sustainability principles and alerting management to breaches of the principles or opportunities to improve performance
• encouraging others to follow sustainable working practices in the workplace
• Where relevant, purchasing from suppliers in accordance with sustainability principles
• Where relevant, auditing suppliers with respect to sustainability.
Relevant legislation and standards
• Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (the EPBC Act)
• National Environment Protection Council Act 1995 (NSW)
• AS/NZS ISO 14001:2004 Environmental management systems – Requirements with guidance for use.
Updated/ authorised
09/2016 – Lynn Lee (Finance Manager Wollongong)
Sustainability principles
Australian Hardware adheres to the following six sustainability principles:
1. Acting now to reduce environmental risk
Consider the risk to the environment as part of risk management at Australian Hardware. Act immediately to reduce environmental risk as you would with any other risk such as health and safety or financial risk.
2. Inter-generational fairness
Consider whether the actions of Australian Hardware deplete or use up resources that could be used by later generations. Is your business or workplace activity fair to people who will live tomorrow as well as those who live today?
Ensure the next generation is fairly treated by Australian Hardware!
3. Sustainable use of natural resources
Consider whether Australian Hardware uses natural resources at the rate they are naturally replenished. If not, how will Australian Hardware compensate for unsustainable use?
Compare like businesses to Australian Hardware.
Does Australian Hardware use resources more sustainably than all other comparable businesses!
4. Maintenance of biological diversity
Consider how Australian Hardware contributes to or diminishes the variety of life on the planet. Biological diversity is important for maintaining ecosystems that contribute to the overall health of the planet.
What ecosystems are disturbed by the location of the hardware store and associated car park? How can this be prevented/offset?
What ecosystems are disturbed by production and distribution of purchased products? How can this be prevented/offset?
5. Enhanced economic and social well-being
Consider how Australian Hardware attributes value or cost to business activity. Is wastage considered (and calculated) as a cost to the environment (which has to be paid by someone), or only as a cost in relation to the narrower financial interests of the business (only the cost of disposal)?
Consider how Australian Hardware’s use of resources contributes to social wellbeing. Are people in your community better-off or happier as a result of Australian Hardware business activities?
Ensure the community is better off because of Australian Hardware!
6. Strengthened community
Consider how Australian Hardware’s use of resources contributes to community. Are people in your community more connected with their community as a result of Australian Hardware’s business activities?
Ensure the community is stronger and more cohesive because of Australian Hardware!
7. Waste management
The waste hierarchy is an effective approach to waste management which should be applied by all employees of Australian Hardware with direct or indirect responsibility for waste management. The diagram below demonstrates the stages.
8. Yearly environmental audit
An environmental audit should be performed yearly by each line manager at Wollongong
Australian Hardware. General operations and administration staff should use the Sustainable Office Checklist provided by the NSW Department of Environment Climate Change and Water:
Appendix 3 – Tables
Stakeholder Consultation Format
Stakeholder Internal/ external Role in process Sustainability issues/concerns

Assessment Task 3
Written Task
SUBMISSION DETAILS
STUDENT NAME
STUDENT ID BATCH NO.
DATE OF
SUBMISSION PLACE OF
ASSESSMENT
Assessment description
This assessment requires the candidate to complete a written task of 4 questions with answers related to workplace policy and procedures for sustainability.
Assessment Instructions
1. Read through the questions very carefully.
2. When instructed to do so, answer the attached test paper.
3. You are not allowed to refer to any sources of information during this test.
4. Address the questions and their terminologies in your answer solutions.
5. This test is to be completed without access to any other electronic gadgets, documents or learning materials.
6. You are allowed a maximum of 120 minutes to complete the test.
7. The test answers should be completed using clear English.
8. The assessment task is due on the time and date specified by your assessor.
9. Any variations to this arrangement must be approved in writing by your assessor.
10. See specifications below for details.
Specifications to submit (details of items for submission)
You must provide written answers to all the questions using a pen or word-processed document as instructed by your assessor.
Performance objective
To test your knowledge required to develop workplace policy and procedures for sustainability in a workplace.
Required resources
1. Assessment task, assessment instructions and case study.
2. Computer with Internet access and word-process software (MS Word/MS Excel/or relevant Mac software etc.).
3. Simulated workplace policies and procedures.
4. Workspace, table, chair and stationery.
Your assessor will be looking for:
Your demonstrated knowledge required to complete the tasks outlined below:
To complete the unit requirements safely and effectively, the individual must:
1. outline the environmental or sustainability legislation, regulations and codes of practice applicable to the organisation identify internal and external sources of information and explain how they can be used to plan and develop the organisation’s sustainability policy
2. explain policy development processes and practices
3. outline organisational systems and procedures that relate to sustainability
4. outline typical barriers to implementing policies and procedures in an organisation and possible strategies to address them.
QUESTIONS
Write answer solutions to the following 4 questions using the space provided
Question 1
Managers should be able to outline the environmental or sustainability legislation, regulations and codes of practice applicable to the organization for which they work. This will be dependent on the type of organization and the industry sector.
From what internal and external sources might information be gathered and why is it necessary for managers to be informed about sustainability legislation, regulations and codes of practice? 300 words.
Question 2
Explain what a sustainability policy is and how policies, processes and practices are developed. What might be covered by or included in an organization’s environmental policies and procedures. 300 words
Question 3
You will need to understand the organization systems and practices that relate to a support sustainability in the organization for which you work. What does this mean and why is it necessary? 200 words.
Question 4
What barriers might affect the implementation of sustainability policies and procedures in an organization? List at least 12. What strategies might be used to address them? List at least 10.
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