About 11. Employee Relations

 For an organisation to function effectively and if high performance is to be achieved and conflict avoided, the relationship between management and employees or employee representatives needs to be harmonious and constructive. HR practitioners and managers need to understand the nature of the employment relationship and the issues that can arise in developing and maintaining positive employee relations. In an increasingly competitive and globalised world, where management and employee contractual relationships, needs, expectations and interests are constantly changing and evolving, understanding the nature of the employment relationship becomes essential. It is therefore crucial for line managers and those who are responsible for developing and implementing employee relations strategy and policy to have insight and knowledge of the area of employee relations. 

The aim of this unit is to develop students’ understanding of the wider external context that influences the employment relationship and priorities in the employee relations system. Students will recognise that good employee relations have implications beyond the employment contract. Aspects such as communication mechanisms and conflict management are important in building and maintaining positive employee experiences, effective relationships and higher levels of performance. 

On successful completion of the unit, students will have demonstrated a range of cognitive skills, in particular critical thinking, information handling and problem solving abilities, as well as recognised professional capabilities. These include the ability to make evidence-based judgements on people-management issues generated through insight and evaluation of the employee relations specialist area.