U6: Employer Employee Relations Flashcards
(26 cards)
What are employer- employee relations?
Employer-employee relations are the defining features of how employers and employees interact with each other on a day to day basis
What is Employee Representation?
Employee representation are the systems put in place to aid communication between employers and employees
What do employee representation do?
• Giving a voice to employees through a recognised body that represents them
• In large organisations one to one discussions with all employees is not a realistic option
• The elected voice must have a clear remit and the objectives understood by all related parties
• Methods include:
- trade unions
- work unions
What do national organisations do?
National organisations with a remit to protect its members and improve their economic and working conditions
What are key objectives of Trade Unions?
Key objectives of TUs are:
- Securing jobs
- Maximising pay
- Ensuring safe and acceptable conditions
- Fair treatment of members by employers
How do they represent members in trade unions?
Represent members through collective bargaining
What approach do trade unions have?
Partnership approach i.e. unions should be seen to be working with the employers to achieve industrial democracy
What can trade unions when working with employees and employers do?
Unions can work with employees and employers to:
- Enhance business performance
- Improve international competitiveness
- Implement change
- Lower labour turnover
- Increase motivation
What do trade unions work to avoid?
Unions work to avoid industrial action and solve potential disputes before they happen
What is an Industrial Dispute?
An industrial dispute exists when there is a disagreement between the employer and the employee or employee representative
What is an industrial action?
Industrial action is when the employees take sanctions to try and impose pressure on the employer
What are examples of Industrial Actions?
Work to rule
Demonstration
Lobbying
Strike
Why is it better to avoid disputes?
It is better to avoid disputes before they become troublesome than try to resolve them later
Information about Avoiding Disputes
• Early involvement of employees and employee representatives
• Clear communication
• ACAS - an independent body that can be called in to help avoid (or resolve) disputes by helping both parties work together
• It is better to call in their services sooner rather than later
- Advisory
- Conciliation
-Arbitration
- Services
Information about Resolving Disputes
• Open and honest communication
• Explore all avenues
• Industrial action (as a last resort)
• Utilise the services of ACAS
- Conciliation — facilitates debate
- Arbitration - if both parties agree to arbitration then the solution presented by ACAS has to be accepted by both parties
What is a Work Council?
A group made up of managers and representative employees who meet regularly to discuss issues relating to the business and specifically issues affecting the workforce
- Pay and working conditions
- Workforce plans
What do employee has the legal right to do?
Employees have a legal right to request a works council if working in a business with over 50 employees
- Representatives must be elected
- The council should have one representative per 50
mployees
What are Advantages of Employee Representation?
• Medium for effective 2 way communication
• Reduces feeling of “them and us”
• Employees kept informed
• Employers have some understanding of employee perceptions
• Improved motivation
• Less risk of industrial disputes
What are Disdvantages of Employee Representation?
• Opportunity cost of time
• Can cause conflict due to different agendas
• Slows down decision making
• Employer may not be able to respond to employee wishes
• Non homogeneous employees
What is communication between employees?
The process of passing information between interested parties
To the right person, at the right time and in a format that is understandable to the recipient
Why is effective communication important?
- Effective communication with employees is important:
- Coordinates
- Motivates
- Clarifies roles
- Eases the implementation of change
- Enables feedback
- Facilitates decision making
- Keeps everyone informed
- Provides focus
What is Selective Communication?
Who needs to know and why?
What are the Methods of communication?
• Method appropriate to content
• Increased use of technology
- Internet and e mail
-Avoid information overload
• Individual, group or whole staff
What is another factor for communication?
the Barriers to communication
