Exploring Employee Relations

Exploring Employee Relations is a straightforward and accessible text that is aimed at students who are taking the subject for the first time. The structure is clear and logical, leading the newcomer through the topics in a way to maximise comprehension. Key issues are highlighted and supported by a small case or example from business. Chapters are structured to enable progressive learning with a logical development of the content. Each chapter ends with a summary of the key points met in the text and these are further reinforced by review and discussion questions, with answers and feedback on the activities included at the end of the book. The chapters are grouped thematically into parts and longer case studies are included that are suitable for assignment and seminar work. This new edition is thoroughly revised with a new international approach which provides new material on the European Union and the role of Government and Demography, bargaining power and securing employee commitment. The text has also been written to cover the new CIPD employee relations syllabus

Table of Contents:
Chapter 1. Employee relations and the employment relationship. Definitions of employee relations The employment relationship A psychological contract? Interests and expectations. Forms of attachment, compliance and commitment Compliance Commitment Conflict, cooperation and perspectives Unitarism Pluralism Radical/Marxist A legal contract and the relevance of ideology The quality of employee relations An industrial relations system Processes Criticisms of the Dunlop model A framework for studying employee relations Chapter summary Chapter 2. The nature of work Introduction Taylorism - scientific management - Fordism Disadvantages of Fordism and the emergence of Post-Fordism Flexible Specialisation. The flexible firm Other competitive production strategies Job re-design and the search for commitment, flexibility and quality Commitment, intrinsic satisfaction, involvement and functional flexibility Japanization? Quality, involvement and commitment as competitive advantage The quality circle Team Working Total Quality Management (TQM) Just-in-Time (JIT) Incidence and impact of the new production strategies [en] perceptions and Conclusions Chapter summary. Chapter 3 Globalization, multinational corporations and employee relations. Introduction Globalization Multinational corporations Definition Scale and nature of multinational activity and FDI FDI advantages and disadvantages MNC approaches to the management of employee relations MNCs and the trade unions International trade union organization Global organizations The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) International regulation and control of MNC activities The International Labour Organization (ILO) Chapter summary. Chapter 4 The European Union Introduction History and membership of the EU Institutions The Commission. The Council of the European Union The Parliament. The social partners Legislative forms Decision making processes Subsidiarity Social Policy -The social dimension The Social Charter. Different traditions and systems. Social Policy – The Treaties. Competence. Charter of the Fundamental Rights of the Union Main initiatives Employee participation Collective Redundancies The Transfers of Undertakings. The European Works Council Directive 94/45/EC Information and Consultation at a National Level. Council Directive 2001/86/EC - Statute for a European Company. Financial participation The Organisation of working time. Equality Article 13 Directives. Genuine Occupational Requirements and other exceptions. Positive action. Directive 97/81/EC on Part-Time Work . Directive 1999/70/EC on Fixed term work Directive on Parental Leave (96/34). : Equal Pay. The Europeanisation of social protection and employee relations. Chapter summary. Chapter 5 The Role of Government. Introduction Ideologies and political approaches Liberalism. Corporatism Government and the economy. Keynesian approaches. Monetarism. The UK Government as legislator and the legal context. The legislative context in the UK. The Individual Employment relationship. Trades unions and collective processes. Trade unions. Trade union members. Information and consultation. Industrial action. The law on Discrimination and Equality. Government as employer. The UK. Pre 1979. Post 1979 The state and dispute resolution. ACAS Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service Chapter summary. Chapter 6. Demography, labour force and market characteristics and trends. Introduction Demography Labour force participation By gender Age group Part-time work Unemployment By gender Age group Long-term unemployment Employment by Sector Factors influencing Female Participation Labour force participation and unemployment by educational attainment. Chapter summary. Chapter 7 Trade unions Introduction Definitions Why trade unions and why do people join? The objectives of trade unions Factors influencing objectives/ orientation Trade union structure Internal government and democracy Trade union membership Problems of measurement Reasons for variations Trade union recognition Challenges and responses Chapter summary Chapter 8 Managing employee relations. Introduction HRM –What is it? HRM and implications for employee relations Management’s objectives Managerial style(s) Criticisms and developments Managing with or without unions? Employee Involvement and the pursuit of employee commitment. Chapter summary Chapter 9 Employee relations processes. Introduction Employee participation Forms and paradigms. Continuum of participation Which decisions? Collective bargaining Scope Level Joint consultation Bargaining power. Chapter summary Chapter 10 Employee relations procedures. Introduction Procedures - what are they and why have them? Disciplinary procedures Rules Procedure Issues and considerations Stages and warnings, number and type Records Disciplinary Procedures and the law in the UK Grievance procedures and handling Definitions Issues and considerations Subject matter coverage/jurisdiction of the procedure Information and representation Stages Time limits Grievance handling Negotiation The hearing/interview Records Grievance procedures and the law in the UK Chapter summary. Chapter 11 Current issues and future trends. ion and participation; Employment law; Human resource strategy

Review :
'The best feature is the shift towards giving more attention to the influence of the EU, globalization and a deeper look at the nature of the labour market. I would like to see a second edition of the text published. After a fallow period, ER is an expanding area of interest again.' John Kimberley, University of Central England 'Generally seems in line with previous text -- which was quite student friendly, generally a popular text on the subject. Required reading -- one of 2 texts recommended for purchase! Leat or Blyton & Turnbull: Dynamics of Employee Relations' Ian Roper, Middlesex University 'Yes -- would meet the needs of the module for which I have been using it -- a third year undergrad module on Employee Relations which forms part of a number of different Business subject degrees. For use in my post grad teaching (part of the CIPD accredited MSc in HRM) the text would need the additional chapter on handling conflict/industrial action referred to. The increasing number of international students on both UG and PG programmes would make a more generic text (as described) useful. Main text for undergrad ER module -- approx 100 students per year. Could also be one of number of recommended texts for PG modules -- varying numbers. Have been using the first edition for UG module -- was planning to change to a more up to date text.' Fiona Oldham, Napier University