employee relations Flashcards
what are four benefits of positive employee relations?
- Employees are happier and more secure in the workplace so productivity is higher.
- A more motivated workforce can result in a higher standard of work.
- Employee commitment is stronger so the business is more likely to achieve its aims.
- There is likely to be fewer disputes and grievances between managers and employees
what are four impacts of poor employee relations?
- Increased disputes and grievances.
- Less productive workforce.
- Reduced standard of work.
- Higher absences and staff turnover
what are six policies and procedures regarding employee relations?
- Flexible Working Policy
- Maternity/Paternity Policy
- Grievance procedures
- Absence/Attendance Policy
- Discipline Policy
- Redundancy Policy
Flexible Working Policy
sets out the rights of employees to work flexibly, for example, part-time work, job sharing
Maternity/Paternity Policy
sets out the rights of employees to paid leave from work following the birth of a child
Grievance procedures
sets out the processes that an employee should go through if they are unhappy with something that has happened in their workplace such as disagreements or problems with working conditions
Absence/Attendance Policy
helps manage staff absence and address any issues that are preventing a member of staff from attending their work
Discipline Policy
- used where an employee fails to follow the rules of conduct required by the organisation
- Discipline procedures often cover absenteeism, conduct, behaviour and performance
- can result in sanctions such as informal and formal warnings, suspension and even dismissal (employees contract is terminated)
Redundancy Policy
sets out the process to be followed where a business no longer requires the job or role that is being carried out
what are three features of trade unions?
- organisation that represents a group of employees
- carry out collective bargaining on behalf of the members
- can also provide legal support/advice
what are three features of ACAS?
- intervenes after a trade union can’t come to an agreement with
and employer over a dispute - can provide advice to organisations to help them understand HR
policy - offers training to organisations so that disputes can be prevented
how can employee relations/employee participation be improved?
- Worker directors: Some workers become directors of the business, although they are not allowed to attend all board meetings.
- Works councils: Representatives of employees get together and discuss matters that affect employees with managers
- Quality circles: Groups of workers regularly discuss how to improve quality and efficiency.
- Democratic leadership: Workers are delegated more responsibility and are regularly consulted in business decisions
what are four benefits of employee participation?
- Improved relationships between the employer and employees.
- It increases motivation and job satisfaction.
- Reduces absenteeism and staff turnover.
- The organisation gains useful knowledge and ideas from experienced workers
what are four drawbacks of employee participation?
- It can be time consuming to consult widely.
- Employees may lack necessary technical knowledge to make decisions.
- If there are lots of different opinions it may be hard to read a consensus.
- There may be conflict of interests, since managers and workers may have different aims
