Employee Relations - The Maker or the Breaker of an Organization's Success
Employee relations plays a vital part in answering the above question. According to Armstrong and Taylor (2014) Employee Relations are the ways and methods the organization adhere to when dealing with the employees & trade unions. Apart from developing communication between the organization & employee, prominence is also given to employee voice. Hence
in every organization, the critical function of Human Resource Department is to
build a positive relationship between the employer & employee. As per Vantagecircle (2023), the HR manager has a diverse & important role in building strong employee relations for a positive work environment. Therefore HRM can conduct different activities among employees & with managers as part of building strong employee relations. Building cross functional teams, team building activities, organizing 1:1 meetings & provide proper communication tools are some HRM activities that will result in positive employee relations.
Most of the organizations have a dedicated team who will be engaged in maintaining & improving employee relations and in some of the organizations, employee relations will relate to theories & plans that will have an impact on the employee work life & interest. By strengthening the bond between the employers and employees the main goal of employee relations is to increase productivity through employee motivation & reduce the employee turnover (Crail, 2023). Continuous success of an organization depends on the quality of relationship the employer & employee maintains.
Are Employee Relations strong and positive in every company, constantly?
Let's take a look at some common issues that are been faced irrespective of the size of the company, globally. Below mentioned are some issues that are leading to negative employee relations and have to be addressed immediately as per the saying 'Nip it in the bud'. Failure on the part of employers to provide proper solutions, will result in adverse consequences to the success of the organization.
- Communication
Problems
Most of the issues among
employees and employers arise due to the lack of effective communication.
Misinterpretations, lack of written evidence, assumptions, attitude, grapevine
& poor listening skills are some of many problems that will cause disputes
in an organization.
- Discriminations & Harassments -
A toxic work environment will be created if discrimination and harassments due to race, color, gender, religion, etc. are not properly handled by the human resource department. It will range from unsuitable comments to forceful behavior (Indeed Editorial Team, 2023). According to Sonnemaker (2020), in 2020 racism & sexism allegations were filed against 3 major companies namely Amazon, McDonalds & Pinterest. The #BlackLivesMatter and #MeToo movements have made it clear the spread of racial and gender bias in the American work places.
- Safety in the work place -
Accidents and injuries happening to the employee can cause complications to the organization. Can lead to the employee taking legal action against the organization (Opala, 2023). If the employees feel unsafe when attending to their jobs, they will try and avoid performing their duties which inturn will affect the productivity of the organization.
- Time and attendance concern -
Some employees are continuously getting absent or late in coming to office. If the company is not taking any disciplinary action against these employees, will lead to the rest of the employees been demoralized. They will feel that they have been treated unjustly.
Conclusion -
For the long term success of an organization, a quality & healthy relationship between the employer and employee is vital. A quality ER infrastructure is essential to sort many problems that the employees will encounter daily in the work place. It is the responsibility of the organization to keep the employees happy in order to get high quality productivity. It's a Win-Win situation for both parties but mainly as stated at the beginning, 'Employee Relations can be a maker as well as a breaker of an organization's success.'
Referencing-
Armstrong, M. and Taylor, S. (2014) Armstrong's book of human resource management practice (13 ed). [Online]. Available at https://e-uczelnia.uek.krakow.pl/pluginfile.php/604792/mod_folder/content/0/Armstrongs%20Handbook%20of%20Human%20Resource%20Management%20Practice_1.pdf?forcedownload=1 (Accessed: 12 Mar 2024).
Crail, C.
(2023) What is employee relations, Forbes ADVISOR, 18
July [Online]. Available at: https://www.forbes.com/advisor/business/what-is-employee-relations/
(Accessed: 14 Mar 2024).
Indeed Editorial Team. (2023) What are employee relations scenarios [Online].
Available at: https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/what-are-employee-relations-scenarios (Accessed: 13 Mar
2024).
Opala, R. (2023) What are common employee
relations issues [Online]. Available at: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/what-common-employee-relations-issues-ruth-lutsili (Accessed: 12 Mar
2024).
Sonnemaker, T. (2020) 2020 brought a wave of discrimination and harassment allegations against major companies like Amazon, McDonald's, and Pinterest. These are some of the year's high-profile legal battles, Business Insider, 31 Dec [Online]. Available at: https://www.businessinsider.com/every-company-that-was-sued-discrimination-and-harassment-lawsuits-2020-2021-1 (Accessed : 14 Mar 2024)
Vantagecircle (2023) Employee relationship management: HR's role, challenges & best practices. vantagecircle, [Online]. Available at: Employee Relationship Management: HR's Role & Best Practices (vantagecircle.com). (Accessed: 14 Mar 2024).
Written effectively blog that covers Softy at work place Pointed
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comments Dilshad. Glad you enjoyed the article. Employee relations is an interesting component of HRD as the entire survival of the organizations depends on the bond between employees and the employers.
DeleteAgreed, investing in excellent employee relations helps both individual employees and the firm as a whole, resulting in long-term growth and sustainability.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your valuable input Arundathi. In local context are the companies investing enough for employee relations is another aspect to consider.
DeleteAgree with you Kishani. Employee relations is very important as no one would want to work in a toxic environment as you have mentioned. Also, the buildup of healthy and positve relationships in the workplace can aid in the growth of the organization in the long-run as its stated above.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comments, Judith. Internal politics plays a vital role in damaging the buildup of healthy relationships & creating toxic environments.
DeleteTalking about toxic work culture and harassment at work place, just wanted to point out that the legal framework of the country in which the company is based also have a direct impact on its employee relations. For instance India has a separate 'The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act. While Australia has a much broader Act relating to sexual harassment or 'hostile workplace environments' which applies not only to women but to every person regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Having such laws would not only mandate the employers to prevent these issues at workplace but would also act as a step towards encouraging diversity and inclusion at workplaces.
DeleteThank you, Dishani, for the insightful comments. Totally agreeing with you on the laws that are implemented relating to workplace discrimination & harassments globally, but how effective are these laws in practice, is a subject to ponder. Came across an article on Modern Discrimination in Organizations published by Annual Reviews, that stated, where counties such as Japan is practicing a mandatory age retirement requirement (Ikezoe H, 2018 cited in Hebl, Cheng & Ng, 2020) & in 104 countries, there are certain jobs that the females are disallowed to engaged in (Hebl et al., 2020). Hopefully there will be a judicial framework to overcome these discrepancies in organizations.
DeleteAgree.. Employee relations focuses on creating and delivering people practices which develop and maintain positive working relationships between an organisation and its people. They also support and advise managers on difficult people issues, and are experts in employment/labour law.
ReplyDeleteYes Chethani, understanding as to how to work with trade unions, aligning people policies to employer brand are some of the aspects that has to be understood by companies to address the different challenges created by different working environments.
DeleteThis emphasizes the important role of employee relations in organizational success, highlighting the importance of fostering a quality relationship between employer and employee for sustained productivity and mutual benefit.
ReplyDeleteThank you Shan for your comments. Yes, it is a win-win situation for both the employer and employee. The employees are the brand ambassadors of the organization.
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DeleteThe content explain the current situation of most of the organizations. One of the most important task of the HR team to manage the employee relation and maintain an healthy relationship since as it's clearly stated it will decide the organizations future.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comments Nimani. Though it is a vital part from the organization's point to develop quality relationship between the two parties it is also a complex issue in the current industrial society.
DeleteI also appreciate your mention of the role of leadership in nurturing positive employee relations.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comments Nilakshi. The engaging & approachable leader will be the most important asset in the organization. The employees will be comfortable to approach the leader to discuss their problems. But there are instances where toxic leaders badly effecting the work culture. Eg: Employee abuse at Amazon (Wolor et al., 2022). Research shows that 56% of employees work for toxic CEOs.
DeleteVery catchy beginning with the informal question of what motivates us for work. You have discussed the importance of Human Resources in maintaining a healthy relationship between employer and employee, as well as a common set of issues that arise in the workplace. Based on the problematic areas you have identified, it would be helpful further if you could elaborate on what actual measures Human Resources can take to create a 'win-win' situation for employers and employees.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your valuable comments Anjalika. Yes, HRD plays a vital role to keep the ER intact. For a change I got the assistance of Annelise from AIHR academy (YouTube video herewith) to elaborate measures taken to eliminate the problematic area that will damage a good ER in a more detailed manner.
DeleteThanks Kishani, I like the point where Annelise from AIHR academy says that it might be useful to have the help of a lawyer. I think this is crucial for companies these days to navigate many ambiguities related to work and employee contracts.
DeleteThe beginnings and concept are really outstanding.
ReplyDeleteWhen it comes to Time and Attendance concerns, yes, the company must take appropriate action against people who take unplanned absences and latecomers, however, before taking action, the organization must communicate and discover the root cause of these issues. If the company can provide any solutions to the challenges that employees are experiencing, a healthy relationship can be maintained, which will be shown in company productivity and minimal employee turnover.
Appreciate your valuable comments Marina. The company will be able to help the employee with his absenteeism/late coming problem, provided that the employee take genuine efforts from his end also to find solutions to mitigate the issue. In the current society most of these problems are due to lack of discipline. The issue is most of the time to find simple solutions we take so much of time leading to the small issue been grown to huge problems.
DeleteYes, Kishani, you're absolutely right. Many problems stem from a lack of discipline, and what may seem like small issues can escalate into significant problems. Efforts should be made by both employees and employers to prevent unnecessary issues and maintain healthy relationship.
DeleteAt the end of the day, both businesses and employees' benefit. Employees thrive in an environment where their needs are addressed and their opinions are heard, and employers gain from improved productivity, innovation, and loyalty. As you correctly said, ignoring employee relations can have negative effects that could eventually impede the development of the company by lowering morale and increasing turnover.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comments Neashara. Yes, as I mentioned ER is a win-win situation for sure. Very interesting to observe some of the views given by the Unitarists & pluralist on ER. Planning to catch a few glimpses of their views on one of my articles in the future.
DeleteThe importance of employee interactions to the success of a firm is highlighted in this blog. It draws attention to typical issues such as poor communication, discrimination, safety concerns, and attendance issues and emphasizes the importance of implementing immediate action to address them. In overall, it highlights how important it is to develop a good and harmonious partnership between employers and employees to achieve long-term success.
ReplyDeleteThank you Ruwan for your comments. It would be helpful in the business world that if it is possible to have positive relations all the time. But in reality, there will be many drawbacks, ups & downs.
DeleteAgree. Open communication, fair treatment, and developing environment are key. Understand the office environment and employees, addressing employee concerns to promote a culture of trust and productivity is important. By implementing all these we can strengthen the workforce and achieve our targets.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the comments Prasani. Although in theory it is possible, wonder how it is to actually have a strong bond between the two parties continuously... Something to think about...
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ReplyDelete“Along with Attendance, punctuality is also an essential component in Employee relations in HRM. Monitoring and addressing to gaps in this area will help to prevent demotivation of good employees demonstrating commitment to fairness and productivity.
ReplyDeleteSupportive policies on this can help to resolve attendance issues in an organization, it will also help to create an environment where employees feel appreciated and recognized regarding their well orderliness in Attendance.”
Thank you Nathasha for your comments. Many racial /ethnic issues are popping up in the current society which can distract a sound ER. So the HRD has a major role to play to keep the intact.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comments Wasula. Yes the bond between the employers & staff has to be strong for an organization to prosper. But sometimes grapevine & gossips can tarnish this bond.
ReplyDeleteAppreciate your valuable comments Mihira. Yes having policies by HR with regard to attendance & punctuality will definitely bridge the gap of fairness & productivity. But HR should identify if there are any valid reasons for the employees such behavior & should take action to assist them to mitigate. Humanity beyond policies & procedures will have a major role.
ReplyDeleteInteresting content Kishani. Further to add according to Crail & Watts (2023), An organization with a positive relationship between and among management and its employees may see both the retention rates and overall productivity soar. Both of these things have a tangible impact on the company’s value and indeed play a key role in determining the success of an organization. Without recognizing and implementing employee relations strategies, many companies would not be able to make it off the ground, much less achieve long-term success.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your valuable comments Kovinda. Yes, the ER strategies should assist employees to understand & align with the organization's mission & vision. Plans should be made for continuous communication & feedback and rewards should be encouraged.
DeleteContent is appreciated Kishani and well matched against the current issues. When addressing a toxic environment, both the employee and the management needs proactive measurements with open communication and establishing transparent policies and procedures. This may increase the wellbeing of the employees and the company will also experience development and growth when the employees are satisfied.
ReplyDeleteValuable insights! EI enables individuals to communicate clearly, empathetically, and respectfully. This is crucial for building strong relationships, resolving conflicts, and fostering a positive work environment.
ReplyDeleteGood article and covers main aspect of the marker or braker of the organization's success. How ever we need to understand 100% workplace related issue cant be attribute to the employee relations. Factors such as organizational culture, leadership styles, and external market forces can also contribute to challenges faced by employees (Kelliher & Anderson, 2010).
ReplyDeleteHi Kishani! The article says happy employees equal a successful company. But hold on! There's more to it.
ReplyDeleteSure, happy workers are great, but what if they're happy doing something that doesn't help the company? It's about being motivated and engaged! When employees feel like their work matters and they have a chance to grow, they'll put in their best effort, making the company successful too.
Also, good employee relations aren't just about keeping everyone happy. It's about clear communication, fair treatment, and addressing problems like discrimination or safety concerns. This builds trust and makes people actually want to work hard for the company.
In short, happy employees are good, but motivated and engaged employees with good leadership are even better for a company's success!
Thank you Kishani for summarizing the importance of quality employee relations ensuring the long-term success of an organization highlighting the significance of a healthy and supportive workplace environment for both employers and employees.
ReplyDeleteGlad that you liked the blog Rizan. Surely as you pointed out, giving a value to the employees will definitely have a positive impact on the organization.
ReplyDeleteAs you have highlighted employee relation is crucial for the organization growth. Time and attendance concern will not only demoralize the other employees it will also eventually create a toxic work environment due to disengagement within employees and due to bitterness towards the employer.
ReplyDeleteA timely topic in the present day context. Your content emphasizes that an organization which promotes healthy employee relationship will stand out from others in every aspects of performance indicators. This could be the unspoken secret behind the success of many outperforming organizations .
ReplyDeleteWhat an insightful read! Truly appreciate the depth and clarity in explaining the significance of employee relations in HRM. It's evident how crucial it is for fostering a positive work culture and maximizing organizational performance. Looking forward to more enriching content like this in the future!
ReplyDeleteHi Kishani, Strongly agree on your Article content which emphasises the Employee relationships and its importance to an Organization and How it helps to long term success of an Organization. Amazing and this is what really to be happened instead ruling people using so many employee restrictions. Good Luck..!!!!
ReplyDeleteHighly insightful. As you have rightly pointed out in the article employee relations play a pivotal role in any organization. Also its of high importance that the organizations to educate the employees on the said area so that this does not remain hidden from the employees in all the levels.
ReplyDeleteVery good explanation. Fostering a positive and productive work environment is contingent upon effective employee relations. Organisations can resolve problems, encourage job satisfaction, and improve overall employee well-being by fostering open communication, mutual respect, and trust between bosses and employees.
ReplyDeleteThe first question had it all. A toxic work environment will create negative impact to the organization as well as employees. Very well explained.
ReplyDeleteThis article hits the nail on the head regarding the significance of good employee relations. It stresses clear communication, fighting discrimination, ensuring safety, and handling attendance issues. The examples, like #BlackLivesMatter and #MeToo, drive home the urgency. Ultimately, it reminds us that fostering a positive employer-employee relationship is key to long-term success. It's a reminder that happy employees make for a thriving organization, proving that "Employee relations can make or break a company's success."
ReplyDeleteNice insight. Effective employee relations foster trust, collaboration, and a sense of belonging among employees, leading to higher job satisfaction, retention, and overall organizational success.
ReplyDeleteAgreed Krishani. Boxall and Purcell (2015) define employee relations as the interactions and relationships between employers and employees, impacted by administrative choices. Effective employee relations initiatives seek to establish a healthy work atmosphere and eliminate. Al-Ajlouni (2021) suggests that policies promoting employee well-being, communication, and engagement can reduce conflicts and improve firm performance
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