Got a placement coming up? Complete this module first and know your rights
Participating in a placement or work-integrated learning experience is a fantastic opportunity and plays a key role in your learning, professional growth, networking and future employability. Such an experience can be rewarding and affirming.
However, placements and internships can also involve change and transitional challenges. These may include:
- adjustment to workplace environments
- professionalism expectations
- exposure to unfamiliar experiences
- navigation of workplace relationships, and
- interactions with clients, customers, or patients.
Research has also shown that students participating in work-integrated learning may be at risk of experiencing sexual harm and other forms of discrimination (Australian Human Rights Commission 2017, National Student Safety Survey 2021).
See the new Respectful and Inclusive Workplace Pre-Placement Module
Over recent years, Equity, and Inclusion have partnered with Work Integrated Learning Teams across Deakin to raise awareness of student rights, support and report services during their participation in placements or internships.
As part of ongoing work in this space, a new university-wide pre-placement module has been developed and is now available for all students and staff.
This module is expected to take 15 minutes and has been designed to be completed before undertaking a placement or internship experience. Content has been reviewed by staff, students and by the Sexual Assault and Family Violence Centre.
The objectives of this module are to:
- advise students of their rights to a respectful and inclusive workplace experience and their responsibilities while on placement
- help students to understand where to seek advice and support, and
- provide case study examples to support student learning, understanding and application.
The module is optional and is not intended to replace course or unit-specific placement information or pre-placement requirements.
You can access this module via the self-registration in tool in Deakin Sync. Simply search for Respectful and Inclusive Workplace Pre-Placement Module.
Want to know more?
For more information on Deakin’s respect and sexual harm prevention program of work, please visit the Equity and Inclusion webpage.
If you have any questions or feedback, please contact [email protected].