3.6.5- Making human resource decisions: improving employer-employee relations

Question 1

Why is a successful employee-employer relationship important?

It maximises…

Answer 1

It maximises cooperation and minimises the potential for conflict between the groups. Its built on trust.

Question 2

List 3/4 reasons.

Why is communication between managers and employees essential?

Answer 2

• It helps pass on information and ideas
• It helps when making plans, giving instructions, motivating staff
• It makes it easier for employees to accept difficult decisions
• It can help with feedback and complaints

Question 3

What are some barries that prevents effective communication?

A/I/LB/SOP/CO/R/GB

Answer 3

• Attitudes- can be distracted
• Intermediaries- Chinese whispers
• Language barriers- A word meaning a different thing for different cultures
• Sense of purpose- Staff may not understand why they’re being told something
• Communication overload- Cant deal with too many messages
• Remoteness- Easy to misinterpret tone in letters/emails
• Group behvaiour- Some employees are overbearing

Question 4

List 2/4 benefits

What are the benefits of good employee-employer relationsips to the employer?

Answer 4

• Develop a good reputation among prospective employees
• Productivity and efficiency are increased due to new ideas, leads to competitiveness
• POV of employees makes it more divers and business can make more informed decisions
• Good communication, means objectives of employees are more aligned.

Question 4

List 1/3 reasons

How can communication barries be overcame?

Answer 4

• By creating a more democratic style, allowing more lower staff to have a say, and feel valued
• Delayering can help employees be more involved
• Delegation or decentralisation can help employees feel more empowered, reducing negative attidues

Question 5

List 2/4 benefits

What are the benefits of good employee-employer relationsips to the employee?

Answer 5

• Employees will feel involved and give them a sense of job security
• If more productive and efficient, business will make more money, which can lead to pay increase or bonus
• An increase in job satisfaction if employee views are heard
• Employees can develop skills

Question 6

What is a work council?

Answer 6

They’re a group of employer-employee representatives within an organisation, discussing factors that may impact the business.

Question 7

What do work councils do?

Answer 7

• They meet regularly to discuess general issues. e.g. training, new tech.
• They share ideas and info in a relaxed atmosphere to improve relations

Question 8

What are trade unions?

Answer 8

They act on behalf of group employees and negotiate with the employer. e.g. rates pf pay, working conditions.

Question 9

List 2/4 advantages

What are the advantages of employee representation?

Answer 9

• Its an effective approach, gorups have more influence
• Collective bargaining can help achieve long-term aims
• It can be helpful for managament to have a small representative group
• Senior managment gets a direct insight into workforce concerns.

Question 10

List 2/4 disadvanatges

What are the disadvanatages of employee representation?

Answer 10

• Can lead to industrial action.e.g. decreased productivity or a strike
• Strikes can get out fo hand or become violent
• Industrial action leads to lost profits
• Industrial action can undermine the trust between employees and employers