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Employee Relations

  • Module code: BH6003
  • Year: 2018/9
  • Level: 6
  • Credits: 30
  • Pre-requisites: None
  • Co-requisites: None

Summary

The focus of this module is the relationship between employers and employees. We examine the nature of this relationship and the significance of its key features for the relative power and position of the two main parties. We consider how the employment relationship is regulated and controlled and the resulting outcomes for employers and employees alike. In this regard, the role of trade unions, new employment relations actors such as Citizens Advice, and internal company human resource management systems are scrutinised and discussed. The impact of government legislation on employee relations outcomes and processes is also examined, as are other contextual influences such as the business environment, labour market and technological trends.

In addition to analysing general developments in employee relations, the module examines specific themes and aspects such as the management of discipline and dismissal and health and safety, and the employment experience of particular groups of workers (for example women and migrant workers).

Aims

  • To examine relationships at work with the aid of relevant academic theories
  • To provide an overview of key employee relations actors, processes and outcomes, and analyze change in these over time
  • To consider the impact of contextual influences on employee relations, including government policy and legislation and trends in the business environment and labour market
  • To discuss specific themes in employee relations such as the management of discipline and dismissal and health and safety
  • To explore the employment experience of particular groups of workers.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:

  • Use key theories, concepts and models to critically examine relationships at work
  • Demonstrate detailed knowledge of changes in employee relations actors and processes over time and awareness of the complexity of the same
  • Outline and critically evaluate the impact of UK and European Union government policies and laws upon the employment relationship
  • Outline and undertake a balanced analysis of the impact of business and labour market trends on employee relations
  • Discuss specific aspects of employee relations such as the management of discipline and dismissal and health and safety, considering the impact of legal regulation
  • Critically evaluate the employment experience of particular groups of workers.

Curriculum content

  • Key theories, concepts and models in analyzing the employment relationship
  • The context of employee relations
  • Trade unions and collective bargaining
  • Human resource management and non-union forms of employee voice
  • New employment relations actors
  • UK and European Union government policies and laws and employee relations
  • The business environment and employee relations
  • Policies and procedures relating to discipline and dismissal and health and safety
  • Labour market trends and employment outcomes
  • The employment experience of particular groups of workers (eg. women and migrant workers)

Teaching and learning strategy

This module will comprise a combination of weekly workshops and independent study. Lecturer input will be used to introduce topics and highlight key themes. Workshops will involve individual, pair and group activities with advance preparation expected from directed reading; and will be used to stimulate discussion and debate regarding particular issues or themes. Student presentations will comprise a central part of these. Workshops will incorporate practical guidance regarding the summative assessment in the module.

Case-studies and videos will be used to illustrate key learning points. Canvas will be used as a principal means of communication and to circulate teaching and reading materials as well as provide links to electronic and video/audio resources.

Breakdown of Teaching and Learning Hours

Definitive UNISTATS Category Indicative Description Hours
Scheduled learning and teaching 22 three-hour workshops 66
Guided independent study 234
Total (number of credits x 10) 300

Assessment strategy

The module is to be assessed by an essay, research report and consultancy report. The essay will involve students researching and writing about a subject assigned by the module leader. The research report will involve small groups of students researching a particular topic, writing up their findings and presenting these to the class as a whole. The consultancy report will set students the task of presenting contextual statistics to the management of a case study company and providing considered recommendations regarding employee relations strategy.

Mapping of Learning Outcomes to Assessment Strategy (Indicative)

Learning Outcome Assessment Strategy
1) Use key theories, concepts and models to critically examine relationships at work. This will be assessed in all three pieces of coursework.
2) Demonstrate detailed knowledge of changes in employee relations actors and processes over time and awareness of the complexity of the same. This will be assessed in all three pieces of coursework.
3) Outline and critically evaluate the impact of UK and European Union government policies and laws upon the employment relationship. This will be assessed in all three pieces of coursework.
4) Outline and undertake a balanced analysis of the impact of business and labour market trends on employee relations. This will be assessed in the essay
5) Discuss specific aspects of employee relations such as the management of discipline and dismissal and health and safety, considering the impact of legal regulation. This will be assessed in the consultancy report.
6) Critically evaluate the employment experience of particular groups of workers. This will be assessed in the essay.

Elements of Assessment

Description of Assessment Definitive UNISTATS Categories Percentage
Individual Essay Coursework 1 40%
Research report Coursework 2 20%
Consultancy report Coursework 3 40%
Total (to equal 100%) 100%

Achieving a pass

It IS NOT a requirement that any major assessment category must be passed separately in order to achieve an overall pass for the module.

Bibliography core texts

Gennard J., Judge G., Bennett, T. and Saundry, R. (2016): Managing Employment Relations, 6th edition, London: CIPD.

Significant use will also be made of the following books:

Noon, M., Blyton, P. and Morrell, K. (2011) The Realities of Work, 4th edition, Basingstoke: Palgrave.

Colling, T. and Terry, M. (eds.) (2010): Industrial Relations: theory & practice, 3rd edition, Chichester: Wiley.

Willey, B. (ed.) (2012): Employment Law in Context: an introduction for HR professionals, 4th edition, London: Pearson.

Williams, S. (2017): Introducing employment relations, a critical approach, 4th edition, Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Bibliography recommended reading

Taylor S. and Emir A. (2015): Employment Law: An Introduction, 4th edition, Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Dibben, P., Klerck, G. and Wood, G. (2011): Employment Relations: A Critical and International Approach, London: CIPD.

Rose, E. (2008): Employment Relations, 3rd edition, Harlow: Pearson Education.

Blyton, P. & Turnbull, P. (2004): The Dynamics of Employee Relations, 3rd edition, Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. (note that this is quite a difficult book)

Leat, M. (2007): Exploring Employee Relations, 2nd edition, Oxford: Butterworth-Heinemann.

Daniels K., Introduction to employment law : fundamentals for HR and business students,  London: CIPD

Lewis, D. and Sargeant, M. Employment Law: The Essentials, 14th edition, London: CIPD.

Sargeant, M. and Lewis, D. Employment Law, 7th edition, Harlow: Pearson.

Journals and periodicals

British Journal of Industrial Relations

Industrial Relations Journal

Employee Relations

Human Resource Management Journal

Labour Research

People Management

Personnel Today

Websites

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