The management of employment relations between organisations and their workforce are integral to human resource management. The employment relationship now takes many forms and its management is affected by multiple stakeholders. Whatever the form of this relationship, good employment relations are essential to ensure legal compliance, ensure the fair treatment of staff and to manage potential conflict.

9 x 2 hour lectures

1 x 2 hour workshop

None

None

1. Written assignment, including essay; Individual; 1500 words; 30%; ILOs 1, 5.

2. Degree exam: online; Individual; 120 minutes; 70%; ILOs 1-4.

The aims of the course are:

■ To outline trends in the current employment relationship and the various forces which affect employment relations today.

■ To explain changes in the macro, socio-political and regulatory environment and what these changes mean for employment relations and the employment relationship.

■ To consider the role of negotiation and conflict in employment relations and the laws and institutions which impact upon these outcomes.

On successful completion of this course students will be able to:

1. Identify and critically evaluate key theoretical and legal concepts related to employment relations.

2. Identify and critically assess key contextual factors affecting the form, regulation and management of the employment relationship.

3. Critically evaluate the changing role of various institutions in employment relations.

4. Identify and critically analyse forms and outcomes of conflict in organisations and how these might be managed.

5. Reflectively evaluate forms and processes of bargaining and negotiation.