3.6.5 Employee Employer Relations Flashcards
What is meant by employee representation
Involves collective representation of employees
What are the three key ways employees can get representation
Trade unions
Works councils
Employee committees
What are trade unions and what are its benefits
An organisation established to protect and improve the economics and working conditions of workers
Benefits:
- focus on negotiations with employers through collective bargaining
- focus on pay and working conditions
- represent members at industrial tribunals and give workers advice on employment issues
- prominent in public sector
What are work councils and its benefits
A forum within a business where worker and managers meet to discuss issues conditions pay and training
Benefits:
- members elected from the workforce by the workforce
- builds cooperations with managers
- allows the voice of the workforce to be heard on a regular basis without trade union representation
- involves employees in key business decisions such as restructuring or expansion
Employee committees - what are they and how do they benefit
A group of employees meeting together to focus on specific issues within the workforce. Unlike a work council they may not be recognised or attended by managers.
Benefits:
- informal groups set up by workers to focus on certain aspects of work
- typically focus on issues such as employee social events, safety and working conditions
- employee committees may influence decisions made at work councils
How may the nature of the work carried out influence employee representation
Low skilled workers are less likely to have an input in decision making
How may the leadership and management style of the boss influence employee representation
Autocratic managers may want to limit the input of employers
How may the cooperate objectives and mission statements influence employee representation
A business in a crisis may want to make quick decisions and avoid consultation with employees
How may the history of a business influence employee representation
What has happened in the past
What can electronic emailing do for communication
Speed up communication and allow workforce to be communicated easily
How may social media benefit a business in terms of passing information
Very effective at sharing informations on events, successes and building team spirit
How may ineffective meeting time be a barrier for effective communication
Meetings are not purposeful or productive
How may misinterpretation be a barrier for effective communication
Top down approach to communication
What is the difference between arbitration and conciliation
Arbitration - disputes resolution bound by the arbitration decision
Conciliation - negotiations facilitated by a third party
Identify 3 benefits for good employer-employee relations
- promotes employee engagement
- reduces costs such as legal fees
- improves motivation and therefore labour productivity
