2.7 Industrial/employee relations

Conflict

A natural and frequent occurrence in dynamic businesses that arise from differences between people’s perceptions, values and needs

Sources of conflict in the workplace 

Values
Communication
Power 
Insufficient resources
Perceptions
Change
Performance
Inequity
Redundancies 
Toxic workplace culture

Collective bargaining

A situation in which employees work together with management to negotiate wages and work conditions

Trade unions

An organised group of workers formed to protect and improve worker interests and rights.

Employee industrial action

Actions taken by employees (often through unions) to put pressure on employers during disputes, such as reducing or stopping work.

Work-to-rule

When employees strictly follow contract terms and only do the minimum required work, reducing productivity.

Overtime ban

When employees refuse to work beyond their contracted hours, limiting output especially during busy periods.

Strike

When employees stop working completely to pressure employers to meet their demands.

Employer industrial action

Actions taken by management to pressure employees during disputes, often to achieve business objectives in negotiations.

Redundancy

When a business reduces its workforce because jobs are no longer needed, sometimes used as a threat in negotiations.

Contract changes

When employers alter terms of employment (e.g. pay or conditions) during renegotiation to influence employees.

Closure

When a business temporarily shuts down operations in response to industrial action to pressure employees.

Lock-out

When employees are prevented from working by the employer, often without pay, until an agreement is reached.

Employee participation

A method of working whereby employees are actively involved in decision-making and therefore have a say in their work.

Industrial Democracy

The process of allowing workers to have a say in the decision-making of a business; could include workers sitting on the board of directors of the company.

No-strike agreements

When workers agree not to strike or take other industrial action against the company for a specified period of time.

Single-union agreements

The agreement by workers and management that all workers at the company or at a specific site will be represented by the same union.

conciliation

A method of conflict resolution where management and employees present arguments to a third party, who makes non-binding recommendations in the conflict.

Arbitration

A method of conflict resolution where management and employees present arguments to a third party, who makes binding decisions in the conflict.