Employee Relations
In the realm of employee relations, the HR department fulfils two key roles. Initially, HR plays a crucial part in averting and addressing conflicts or disagreements that may arise between employees and management (Drucker, 2002). Subsequently, they aid in the establishment and implementation of equitable and uniform policies across the workforce. Employee relations encompass the organization's endeavours to carry out these responsibilities and cultivate a constructive rapport with its staff members (Bentein and Guerrero, 2008).
Employee Relationship Management
Employee relationship management (ERM)
constitutes a facet of human resources management that centres on fostering
robust and favourable connections between employees and their supervisors (Stangrecka & Bagieńska, 2021).
The Importance of Employee Relations in
an Organisation
Favourable employee relations result in increased employee involvement, contentment, and enthusiasm. When employers provide a sense of value and backing, employees tend to exhibit greater dedication, enhancing productivity and overall performance. A healthy employee relations environment helps in retaining top talent. Employee relations strategies and practices provide mechanisms for addressing and resolving conflicts effectively (Osborne and Hammoud, 2017).
Employee Relation Best Practices
* Invest in your people
beyond the recruitment phase
Investing in your employees goes beyond
simply hiring them. It involves providing continuous training, development
opportunities, and resources to help them grow in their roles.
*
Let the employees know that the company trusts them
Trust constitutes a foundational cornerstone of a
conducive workplace. When employees perceive trust, they are inclined towards
assuming ownership of their responsibilities, exercising decision-making
autonomy, and demonstrating proactive initiative.
*
Have a well-defined company
culture
Organizational culture
encapsulates the collectively held principles, convictions, and conduct that
steer the operational conduct of an entity.
*
Open and honest communication
Transparent communication is essential
for building strong relationships between employees and management (Ansah et al., 2018).
Employee Relations Issues
*
Having Disengaged
Employees
Disengaged
employees are those who lack motivation, enthusiasm, and commitment towards
their work and the organization.
*
Having Little Opportunity
for Upward Mobility
A lack of upward mobility can result in talented employees seeking opportunities elsewhere, which can contribute to high turnover rates.
Conclusion
Employee relations encompass HR's roles in conflict resolution, policy establishment, and fostering positive relationships. It drives engagement, retention, and productivity. Best practices include continuous employee investment, trust-building, clear culture, and open communication. Addressing disengagement and limited growth opportunities is vital for a thriving workforce.
References
Bentein, K. and Guerrero, S. (2008). The Employment Relationship:
Current Research Avenues. Relations Industrielles / Industrial Relations,
[online] 63(3), pp.409–424. Available at: https://www.jstor.org/stable/23077500.
Bulińska-Stangrecka, H. and Bagieńska, A. (2021). The role of
employee relations in shaping job satisfaction as an element promoting positive
mental health at work in the era of COVID-19. International Journal of Environmental
Research and Public Health, [online] 18(4), p.1903.
doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18041903.
Drucker, P.F. (2002). They’re Not Employees, They’re People.
[online] Harvard Business Review. Available at:
https://hbr.org/2002/02/theyre-not-employees-theyre-people.
Osborne, S. and Hammoud, M. (2017). Effective Employee Engagement in
the Workplace. International Journal of Applied Management and Technology,
16(1), pp.50–67. doi:https://doi.org/10.5590/IJAMT.2017.16.1.04.
Richard Hannis Ansah, Osei, J., Shahryar Sorooshian and Aikhuele,
D.O. (2018). Importance of employer-employee relationship towards the growth
of a business. [online] ResearchGate. Available at:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/327963541_Importance_of_employer-employee_relationship_towards_the_growth_of_a_business.
post offers a comprehensive understanding of employee relations, highlighting the crucial role HR departments play in conflict resolution, policy establishment, and fostering positive relationships within an organization.
ReplyDeleteThe main purpose of employee relations is to foster and improve a positive relationship among employees and an employer (or coworkers, work, the company as a whole, etc.). This is intended to increase employee retention and productivity for the company and to encourage a sense of community. Employee relations may also help handle issues an employee is facing, such as harassment in the workplace or other conflicts.
ReplyDeleteManaging employee relations in the workplace is indeed an important aspect of Human Resource Management (HRM). I think it is worth mentioning that in some industries and countries, labour unions are formed and involved to manage employee relations.
ReplyDeleteImportant article. Organizations must prioritize employee interactions for long-term success. Additionally, employee relations department handles tasks like performance review, misconduct handling, communication standards, engagement, health and safety, conflict resolution, and employee wellbeing. Strong employee relations practices improve operational and other aspects of the corporate sector.
ReplyDeleteEmployee relations is a critical function of HR that involves conflict resolution, policy establishment, and fostering positive relationships between employees and the organization. By effectively managing employee relations, HR contributes to a harmonious work environment, enhanced employee satisfaction, and improved organizational performance.
ReplyDelete