Topic 24 - Employee Relations

Question 1

Positive Employees Relations

Answer 1

• Employees have their chance to discuss changes or grievances so feel happier and more secure
• Disputes are less likely to occur as workers are consulted and understand why changes are necessary
• Workforce is committed to the organisation and helps it meet its objectives
• Easier to introduce change as staff will be more flexible with suggestions from management
• Business gains a good image for treating employees correctly
• Less staff turnover/absenteeism
• Increased employee motivation

Question 2

Negative Employee Relations

Answer 2

• poorer employee performance due to low morale
• increases staff turnover/absenteeism
• less cooperation from staff during periods of change
• increased grievances and discipline problems
• increased industrial action

Question 3

Grievances

Answer 3

Problems, concerns or complaints made by an employee.

• Solve them early to stop them escalating into formal disputes
• Managers should be trained to deal with grievances
• Employees should be encourages to be open and honest
• Managers shouldn’t blame or judge
• Managers should listen to employee concerns and seek a resolution

Question 4

Discipline

Answer 4

Businesses should have company policies regarding employee conduct and set procedures in place to deal with employees who fail to follow them.

• Deal with cases of minor misconduct informally
• Employers should deal with issues promptly, fairly and consistently
• Where formal action is needed, investigations should be carried out to gather and establish all the facts of the case
• Employees should be given the facts of the case and allowed to put their response forward
• Employees have the right to be accompanied to any formal meeting and be allowed to appeal against any formal decision made on sanctions to be issues

Question 5

Dismissal

Answer 5

When an employer terminates an employees contract.

• Employers must be able to give account of the policies the employee has broken and the procedures and sanctions used before dismissal
• Employers should use a fair and consistent procedure when dismissing employees
• Employees have the right to not be unfairly dismissed

Question 6

Redundancy

Answer 6

When an employer feels they no longer need an employee.

• Used when a business needs to cut costs
• Negative image for business
• Employers must have a policy in place that entitles those made redundant to a set notice period and a redundancy payment

Question 7

Trade Unions

Answer 7

• Organisations that represent a group of employees
• Employees pay an annual subscription to have the trade union negotiate on their behalf
• Negotiates better pay and working conditions for members
• Involved in the resolution of disputes
• Provides legal and financial support to members

Question 8

ACAS

Answer 8

• Aims to improve employee relations
• Involved in disputes and disagreements if a trade union cannot reach an agreement with and employer
• Makes a final decision based on the evidence presented by both parties
• Can provide advice to help businesses better understand HR policy
• Offers training to businesses to prevent disputes occurring

Question 9

Employee Participation

Answer 9

Involving employees in decision-making.

Advantages:
- Improved employee relations
- Increased job satisfaction
- Increased motivation
- Reduces absenteeism and staff turnover
- Business gains useful knowledge and ideas from workers
- Employees are less resistant to change as they are involved in decisions

Disadvantages:
- Time consuming to consult widely
- Employees may lack necessary technical knowledge to make decisions
- Difficult to reach a conclusion if there are many opinions
- May be conflicts of interest and employees and managers have different aims

Question 10

Worker-Director

Answer 10

A low level employees is given a seat on the board of directors to present their views and views of fellow workers to the board. However, they have no voting rights.

Question 11

Works Councils

Answer 11

Groups made of employees and managers discuss change affecting employees in the business. The group has joint decision-making powers.

Question 12

Consultative Committees

Answer 12

Similar to works councils but can also include members of the public or customers to discuss important issues or changes.

Question 13

Quality Circles

Answer 13

Employees are consulted on how to improve the standard of the products they produce.