when we discuss Employee relations in
Human Resource Management It is an important area deals with activities and interacting
related in between employees and their respective organizations.
Wide range of activities and strategies
in employee relations are creating a positive work environment, developing an
effective communication, building mutual trust and respect in between employees
and employers and resolving conflicts.
Employee relations in HRM are developing
and maintaining a productive workplace and pleasant organizational surrounding where
employees feel treasured, honored and involved. This process requires initiating
rules, procedures and agendas that would support the well-being and satisfaction
of the employees while they been aligned towards the objectives and goal of the
organization.
One of the most important aspects of Employee Relations is Communication.
Among management and the employees HR professionals play an essential role in
facilitating open, honest and transparent communication. This includes
informing updates regarding the company policies procedures and changes, also beseeching
of feedback from employees in order to address their concerns and needs effective
manner. (Armstrong & Taylor, 2014)
Active communication also helps to solve conflicts in an
organization, HR consists the accountability in creating fair and neutral
methods for dealing with disputes. Interceding in-between disagreeing groups,
and speaking with them beneficial dialogue to reach solution. Addressing
conflicts proactive and professional manner HR supports to maintain a positive
work Environment avoiding problems and issues being escalated.
Employee
engagement is another key focus factor in employee relations in HRM. When employees
are engaged, they become more productive, motivated and committed to achieve organizational
goals. HR Professionals plan strategies to make employee engagement more, they
also implement employee recognition programs and initiate activities that will
build team spirits. Making pathways for professional growth and career
advancement is also some more ways where employee engagement is practiced.
Employee Relations in HRM also has a major component which is
“performance management”. HR over sees the performance evaluation process how
it is conducted making it a success by enabling employees to receive feedback
regarding their performance. Employees are motivated and supported in this
process enabling them to receive required coaching, training to them also disciplinary actions when
required. Recognizing and rewarding high potential good performers are also a
major factor here.
Apart from Employee wellbeing HR is
responsible for ensuring compliances regarding legal regulations, company
policies and labor laws. Drafting and updating employee policies making
employees aware of them their rights and responsibilities and handling issues
such as harassment, discrimination and wrongful terminations in an organization
is done here.
When a company
consist a unionized environment, employee relations will involve and manage the
relationship between the organization and labor unions, negotiates and
collective bargaining agreeing, addressing of grievances and ensuring
compliance to labor laws and union contracts, fostering constructive dialogues
and collaboration among the two parties are done by employee relations of HRM
Above factors shows us the importance
of Employee Relations in HRM how it helps to make a good and positive work
environment, how it enhances employee satisfaction and retention, maximizing
organizational performance towards company common goals. Having focus on
conflict resolution, with effectful communication and different ways employee
management, performance management and compliance and labor relations,
Certainly above factors confirms the
importance of HR professional building a
strong relationship between employees and employers making a more strong and
effectful Employee Relations in HRM in an organization. (Armstrong & Taylor, 2014)
Components of good Employee Relations in HRM:
Increasing engagement
Performance Management
Reducing turnover
Creating a positive company culture
Employee well-being
Employee Communication
References:
Cook, S. (2008) The Essential Guide to Employee engagement, Google Books. Available at: https://books.google.lk/books?hl=en&lr=&id=JG91GyqLg4YC&oi=fnd&pg=PP2&ots=l8griW0rCA&sig=0NoOM2dOOX4-zdkyz-dI1l6VYxI&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q&f=false (Accessed: 19 March 2024).
Dr Francisco, D.E.T. (2019) Importance of Employee relations, Google Books. Available at: https://books.google.lk/books?hl=en&lr=&id=FuUmIixUldwC&oi=fnd&pg=PR9&dq=employee%2Brelations%2B&ots=HeYKfiigr1&sig=BA3DkPXzbSBmY-yFGRNlF1NnbQQ&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=employee%20relations&f=false (Accessed: 19 March 2024).
Leat, M. (2011) Employee relations - edinburgh business school, https://ebs.online.hw.ac.uk. Available at: https://ebs.online.hw.ac.uk/documents/course-tasters/english/pdf/h17er-bk-taster.pdf (Accessed: 19 March 2024).
Armstrong, M. and Taylor, S. (2014a) Armstrongs Handbook of Human Resource Management ..., Human Re. Available at: https://e-uczelnia.uek.krakow.pl/pluginfile.php/604792/mod_folder/content/0/Armstrongs Handbook of Human Resource Management Practice_1.pdf?forcedownload=1 (Accessed: 17 march 2024).
What are the other ways employee relations can be important in an organization
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