Workplace relations — the roles of participants in the workplace

Question 1

What are workplace relations

Answer 1

Workplace relations refers to interaction between employers and employees, or their representatives, to achieve a set of working conditions that will meet the needs of employees as well as allowing the business to achieve its strategic, tactical and operational objectives.

Question 2

Employers

Answer 2

In a small or medium business, workplace relations issues are among the many responsibilities that will be handled by the business owner as the employer. With a larger business employing greater numbers, responsibility for workplace relations matters will often become the responsibility of a human resource manager and an entire human resource department.

Question 3

Employees

Answer 3

Employees are expected to contribute through their work efforts to the achievement of business objectives. However, employees today are, on average, more highly educated than in the past. They demand more challenging, interesting work, greater involvement in decision making processes and autonomy in the workplaces

Question 4

Human resource management

Answer 4

The role of a human resource manager includes
*negotiating employment agreements with their employees and their representatives
*Training other managers and supervisors to facilitate agreements within their area of responsibility
*Ensuring the implementation of all key terms of agreements
*Dealing with disputes and conflict that may arise during the life of an agreement

Question 5

Negotiating employment agreements

Answer 5

The role of negotiating workplace agreements with employees and their representatives will often fall to the human resource manager and specialist workplace relations managers need to be aware of all legal issues