Industrial relations refers to the relationship that exists between employers and their employees in the workplace.
KEYWORDS
You need to mention both ‘employers’ and ‘employees’ in a definition to explain industrial relations correctly.
TOP TIP Reasons For Workplace Disputes
Even for a business with good industrial relations, problems can arise between employers and employees. The most common reasons for workplace disputes are:
1. Disputes Over Pay
Employees may feel they are not being paid enough, or the employer may try to cut wages.
2. Unfair/Unsafe Working Conditions Employees may feel that hours are too long, breaks are too short or the workplace is unsafe.
3. Redundancy Employees can have an issue with how the employer decides which employees are to be made redundant, or if they don’t offer a reasonable redundancy payment to employees.
Redundancy is when an employer ends an employee’s job because the job itself is no longer needed, for example if the business closes down or a job is now done by technology.
4. Unfair Treatment of Workers
Employees may take action against their employer if they are treated unfairly, discriminated against or bullied at work.
Benefits of Good Industrial Relations 1. Higher morale Employees tend to be happier as they are treated well so are less likely to look for a job elsewhere.
2. Higher productivity
When employees feel respected and valued, they work harder and more efficiently, leading to increased output and better business performance.
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STRAND 2 CHAPTER 17: Employer and Employee Rights and Responsibilities