6) UNIT 2 - Employee Relations Flashcards
what is employee relations
term for the relationship between management and employees within an organisation
what will good employee relations result in
- usually much happier workers
- more motivated workers
- committed to the goals of the business;
- more accepting of change
- more flexible in their response to requests;
- more able to recognise the need for the organisation to achieve its objectives.
what will bad employee relations result in
- less cooperation of the workforce;
- more industrial action;
- a poor image for the organisation for its customers and as an employer
what is the role of the employee in employee relations
•comply with rules and procedures of the organisation
what is the role of management in employee relations
•inform, consult anf negotiate with employees and their representatives in agreeing to terms and conditions of employment
what is a trade union
•represent employees when dealing with management on a national scale
what is the role of professional associations in employee relations
•make sure all members/employees meet strict regulation standards - have the power to struck people off for misconduct
e.g. general dental council
what is the role of employers associations in employee relations
- bodies set up by whole industries to allow them to network and provide a voice for employers
- act as a pressure group to raise issues that concern UK employers
what is ACAS
•an independent body set up by the government to resolve disputes between management and employers
what is the role of the trade union in employee relations
1) collectively bargain with management for changes to pay and working conditions
2) assist with grievance procedures by providing legal advice to members
3) advise members of appropriate courses of industrial action
4) provide legal expertise e.g. if going to court provide lawyers
5) represent views of members to management
How do members benefits from trade unions
- collective voice is stronger than individual
- collective bargaining secures improvements in pay and working conditions
- get expertise advice from union in disciplinary and grievance procedures
- offer insurance services at competitive rates to members
what is the role of ACAS in industrial disputes
provide a service offering:
- advice
- conciliation
- arbitration
describe the type of advice ACAS can offer in industrial disputes
•advise employees, trade unions, management on how to settle a dispute between parties
describe conciliation
to listen to both sides and suggest a compromise that both parties agree to
describe arbitration
- to make a decision independently to resolve a dispute
* both parties agree to accept decision of arbitrator prior to the decision being made
what is an appraisal and what is it used for
- an annual meeting between an employee and their line manager to evaluate employees performance
- used to identify whether employees are meeting the standards that are set out in the terms of their contract of employment
why is an appraisal useful/ benefits of an appraisal
- set appropriate targets for employees - encourages them to work towards full potential
- identify skill gaps and decide on training requirements
- managers can identify employees ready for promotion- performing very well
- increases staff motivation when they receive positive feedback - decrease in staff turnover and absenteeism
what can management do when an employee is found to be under performing
use a range of disciplinary strategies such as:
- identify and discuss potential factors that could be affecting performance and offer advice and support
- strategies to support employee e.g. counselling, training
- set targets for improvement through a personal improvement plan (PIP)
- implement first stage of disciplinary procedure
where should the disciplinary procedure stated
in the contract of employment
describe an example of a very basic disciplinary procedure
1) Verbal warning:
issued by line manager and recorded by HR department in employee notes
2) Written warning:
issued by HR department with improvement targets outlined
3) Final warning:
issued by HR with terms of ending employment outlined if employee does not meet criteria in letter
what is a grievance procedure
- Procedure used when an employee is unhappy with their terms and conditions of employment.
- It allows them to bring up concerns with their employer
describe the 4 advantages of collective bargaining
- Representing a large number of people improves negotiating possibilities - increases the chances of success
- agreements met are on a national level so many people benefit
- reduces the number of individual meetings needed to resolve a common problem
- provides better pay and working conditions for employees - avoids exploitation
