01.EMPLOYEE RELATIONS IN HRM

 INTRODUCTION

FIGURE1:EMPLOYEE RELATION

Employee relations focuses on both individual and collective relationships in the workplace. A positive climate of employee relations - with high levels of employee involvement, commitment and engagement - can improve business outcomes and contribute to employees' wellbeing (CIPD,JULY 2023).

When it comes to employee relations, an HR department has two primary functions. First, HR helps prevent and resolve problems or disputes between employees and management. Second, they assist in creating and enforcing policies that are fair and consistent for everyone in the workplace. Employee relations refers to an organization’s efforts to fulfill these functions and create and maintain a positive relationship with its employees.

By maintaining positive, constructive employee relations, organizations hope to keep employees loyal and more engaged in their work.

Typically, an organization’s human resources department manages employee relations efforts; however, some organizations may have a dedicated employee relations manager.

EXAMPLES OF EMPLOYEE RELATIONS

FIGURE2:EXAPMLES OF EMPLOYEE RELATIONS

IMPORTANCE OF EMPLOYEE RELATIONS

Since employees are the engine of any organization, you want to make sure that both employee-employer and cross-employee relations are well maintained.

According to the AIHR(2023) Effective employee relationship management translates into the following advantages: 

• More effective workplace communication – Fostering the relationship between employers and employees encourages open communication throughout the organization on a wide scale basis and at a personal level. This allows employees to better understand expectations, goals, and objectives and how their contributions make a difference.
• Less workplace conflict – Stronger relations between management and teams creates an atmosphere that encourages dialogue and honest conversations that can resolve issues before they turn into a controversy. When disputes do occur, having a platform for addressing them ensures that employees are heard and makes conflict resolution swift and effective.
• Higher employee morale and loyalty – Viewing employees as partners in a relationship shows them respect and appreciation. When employees feel a positive connection to their employer, they are empowered to be more satisfied and productive in their jobs. A work environment with high morale keeps people more content and dedicated to their employer.
• Better reputation as an employer – Employees who feel valued at work will speak highly of their employer to others. Companies with strong employee relations often have a better reputation among potential employees, customers, investors, and other stakeholders. That can lead to increased business opportunities for the organization.
• Lower employee turnover – Employees who have a good relationship with their employer will tend to focus more on the positive aspects of their job, making them less restless and prone to searching out other opportunities. This allows the organization to retain valuable, productive employees longer and reduce turnover.
• Improved organizational performance – Keeping employees content and motivated is a crucial factor in overall organizational performance. When workers feel connected to their employer and are thriving in their roles, they become more productive and inspired to contribute toward the long-term success of the business. 

WHAT IS THE ROLE OF HR MANAGER IN EMPLOYEE RELATIONS

FIGURE3: ROLE OF HR MANAGER

An HR Director develops corporate HR plans, supports the human factor in the company, oversees HR initiatives, and ensures compliance with employment laws and regulations. They supervise HR personnel, handle employment relations, and analyze data to report on HR metrics for informed decision-making.

HOW TO HANDLE EMPLOYEE RELATIONS  ISSUES

According to the bambooHR(2024) there are few methods to handle employee relations issues which are mentioned below 

1. Create an Employee Relations Strategy

An employee relations strategy is a way to maintain a balance between employers and employees by creating an environment conducive to each group’s needs. Employers want productivity and performance; employees want acknowledgment and appreciation. A good employee relations strategy will help both get what they want.

At a minimum, your strategy should include the following KPIs:

• Number of recognitions
• Number of complaints
• Complaint response time
• Quarterly benefits and compensation data compared to competitors
• Employee satisfaction
• Employer performance

2. Listen to Employee Feedback

There are many types of employee relations issues, and the way to handle them can vary depending on the issue. However, there are some general guidelines to follow. One is to listen. Give your full attention and focus on what is being said vocally and physically before taking appropriate action.

3. Educate and Communicate

Make sure to educate and communicate with employees to maintain positive employee relations. The more your employees know the rules and expectations, the better. Consistency across the board is key here. If some employees have privileges over others, no one will care what you say.

4. Ensure Compliance

Finally, document everything. Keeping accurate legal and employee records is vital for employee relations issues. You will likely find yourself needing to refer back to them, and they will be especially useful if an employee lawsuit is brought against the company.

CONCLUSION

It is important to handle employee relationships well so that everyone is happy at work and the company succeeds. By prioritizing communication, engagement, conflict resolution, and legal compliance, businesses can create a harmonious and productive atmosphere for their employees

This blog further discuss the views of employee relations and methods to improve the employee relations and how it affects the organization in later blog posts. 

REFERENCES

Rachel Suff. (2023, July). CIPD. Retrieved March 13, 2024, from CIPD: https://www.cipd.org/en/knowledge/factsheets/relations-employees-factsheet/#:~:text=Employee%20relations%20focuses%20on%20both,and%20contribute%20to%20employees'%20wellbeing.

Neelie Verlinden. (2024, March 03). AIHR. Retrieved March 13, 2024, from Academy to innovate HR: https://www.aihr.com/blog/employee-relations/#:~:text=Importance%20of%20employee%20relations,-Since%20employees%20are&text=This%20allows%20employees%20to%20better,their%20contributions%20make%20a%20difference.

bambooHR. (2024). HRglosary. Retrieved March 15, 2024, from bambooHR: https://www.bamboohr.com/resources/hr-glossary/employee-relations

Figure 1:  Employee Relation

Figure 2:  Examples of Employee Relations

Figure 3:  Role of HR Manager