U2- Employee Relations Flashcards
What is employee relations?
A major role fulfilled by the HR department in conjunction with managers from across the organisation
It is concerned with how employers deal and interact with their employees as individuals or as a group
The term employee relations refers to the relationship between employees and employers
What is the impact of positive employee relations?
Helps to ensure the organisation meets its objectives
Employees are more likely to be happy and motivated to help the organisation achieve goals
They will be more accepting of change
More flexible in their response to requests
Will recognise the need for the organisation to achieve its objectives
What is the impact of poor employee relations?
Can lead to conflict
Less cooperation from employees
May present a poor image of the organisation to its customers
What is ACAS?
Advisory, conciliation and arbitration service (ACAS)
It has been created to help ensure that disputes between employers and employees are kept to a minimum
What are the 4 main ways which ACAS can assist?
Provide impartial advice and help to anyone with a work problem
Prevent and resolve problems between employers and employees and help settle disputes
Settle complaints about employees rights
Encourage people to work together effectively by running workshops and seminars on issues such as basic employment knowledge and the latest developments in legislation
What is an employers association?
Businesses in one sector of industry often form an association to look after the interests of all businesses in that particular industry
What are the benefits of belonging to an employers association?
They have a single strong voice to:
Lobby politicians
Deal with negotiations
Give a clear and uniformed message to the press and other media
They can pressure and influence the government
Market research can be carried out for the benefit of the members (many may be small businesses who are unable to otherwise afford it)
What is the CBI?
The Confederation of British Industry
It attempts to represent the employers from all the UK’s industries
They have a much stronger voice acting as a collective and may also voice their opinions on political matters that affect businesses
What is the TUC?
Trade Union Congress
Represents all trade unions in much the same way as the CBI represents the different groups of employers
It provides information and advice to its members
Give 5 advantages of the TUC
Brings Britain’s unions together to draw up common policies
Helps unions avoid clashes with each other
Campaigns on economic and social issues
Helps unions develop new services for members
Builds links with other trade union bodies worldwide
Give 5 aspects of employee relations
Negotiation
Consultation
Arbitration
Collective bargaining
Industrial action
What is negotiation?
The main purpose is to come to an agreement between the parties
Employers and employees meet to discuss issues that affect both parties to agree, plan and implement some changes in the workplace
This is often seen as the best method of achieving change in the workplace
What is consultation?
A term used to describe the legal process that is enforced on employers under employment law for some changes within the organisation
Dictionary definition- the action or process of consulting or discussing
What is arbitration?
When no agreement can be reached between the employee and employer there can be a stalemate. In this case an arbitrator will attempt to resolve the dispute
The arbitrator is unbiased and neutral to the discussion they will listen to both sides, gather other evidence and offer a solution
What is collective bargaining?
The process where the trade union or other body negotiates on behalf of the employees
The representative will meet the employers and negotiate and propose changes
Usually a compromise will be reached
The employer will attempt to make an agreement that will last several years to encourage a more settled workforce and save revisiting the agreement on an annual basis
