HR4S015 - Managing Employee Relations 24 Mar 2023 - 31 Aug 2027 | Version 3
Associated Module Information
| Module Code: | HR4S015 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Module Title: | Managing Employee Relations | ||
| Faculty: | Faculty of Business and Creative Industries | ||
| Faculty Group: | Business Management | ||
| Faculty Sub Group: | Business Management | ||
| Module Leader: | Karl Greenhough | ||
| Module Team: | Adam Poole, Shehla Khan, Michelle Mahoney | ||
| First Intended Intake: | JAN 2020 | Final Year of Intake: | |
| Date Closed: | |||
| Credit Value: | 20 | Credit Level: | 7 |
| Language: | English | ||
| Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: | 0 | ||
| Equivalent Module: | |||
| HECOS codes: | 100085 - human resource management | ||
| HECOS Code Weighting: | 100 | ||
Document Version Information
| Version | 3 |
|---|---|
| Valid From | 24 Mar 2023 |
| Valid To | 31 Aug 2027 |
Module Aims
The cornerstone of all human resource (HR) management activity is the employment relationship – as a legal, social, economic and psychological exchange.
This module will provide learners with a comprehensive understanding of employment relations perspectives and debates, both national and international, from a theoretical and behavioural competency perspective. It will enable learners to understand, analyse and evaluate competing theories and perspectives associated with managing employment relations strategies and their outcomes on organisational climate, employees and management.
The module provides opportunities for learners to critically apply the activities, knowledge and behavioural competencies required for managing employment relations practices in union and non-union, small and large, private, public and indigenous and multinational organisations and will enable learners to review and critically evaluate the roles and functions of different stakeholders in employment relations and the structures and processes required to manage the employment relationship effectively.
Learners will also be able to assess the impact of contextual changes on employment relations practices and organisational performance from a managerial perspective and gain insights into the creation and implementation of effective employment relations procedures and policies. The module requires learners to reflect critically on theory and practice from an ethical and professional standpoint and provides opportunities for applied learning and continuous professional development.
According to CIPD Human Resource professionals need to understand key developments in the theory and practice of employment relations, both within and beyond the organisational context. This module aims:
To develop knowledge and critical understanding of employment relations, including appreciation of the contrasting perspectives, theories and debates within this field.
To examine the various ways in which employers regulate and manage the employment relationship in a range of settings and organisations.
To demonstrate a critical awareness of the parties, processes, mechanisms and procedures which regulate UK employment relations.
To appreciate and understand the influence of context particularly associated with European institutions, globalisation/internationalisation, ecology and environment.
To understand and critically evaluate the integration of employment relations processes and how they impact on policy, practice and organisational outcomes such as employee voice, engagement and performance.
To develop competences and skills for managing and handling individual and collective employment relations problems and issues and engage effectively in conflict management at work.
Content Summary
Understand, analyse and explain the nature of employment relations as a field of study and practice. Consider and critically evaluate different theories and perspectives in employment relations including the unitary, plural, radical perspective and systems theory. Explanation of why employment relations matter from the perspective of the individual, the firm and the wider society. The employment relationship and employment relations; the
employment relationship as a complex, multifaceted, dynamic and dialectical relationship. The changing context of employment relations in contemporary Britain and from an international perspective.
Understand, analyse and critically evaluate the role and functions of the main actors and parties in employment relations. The role and changing nature of state intervention in British employment relations, including the effects of the European Union ‘Social Dimension’ on HRM and British and international employment practices. Evaluate the changing contexts and effect of political economy on UK labour relations, including how power is viewed and utilized by the three central actors, the state, management and employees, often including trade unions. The role, function and changing nature of employers, managers and management style in British employment relations.
Representation at work; the role, function and effectiveness of trade unions and the effectiveness of non-union arrangements for the representation of workers’ interests. Partnership working as a qualitatively different approach in employment relations.
Understand, analyse and critically evaluate organisational processes, strategies and policies in employment relations. The theory and practice of employee engagement; the contribution of employee engagement towards organisational and business performance in the private, public and voluntary sector. Employee voice and realising voice for sustainable business success. The different types of voice mechanisms and practices, including employee involvement and employee participation and consultation. The legal context and the Information and Consultation of Employees Regulations. The role of social media in promoting employee voice. Regulating the employment relationship through collective bargaining and negotiations.
Understand, analyse and critically evaluate interpersonal processes in employment relations. The management and handling of disciplinary and grievance procedures, and dismissal. The management and administration of redundancy. How the conduct of these interpersonal processes can have an impact on the climate of employment relations in organisations.
Understand, analyse and critically evaluate the role of conflict and protest in employment relations. The nature and purpose of collective and individual conflict; trends and patterns in industrial conflict and their implications for employment relations.
The management of conflict at the workplace, conflict resolution methods and techniques, the role and contribution of alternative dispute resolution – conciliation, mediation and arbitration.
(This module is mapped to the following CIPD unit(s): 7 MER – Managing Employee Relations)
Learning and Teaching Methods
| Activity Type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Lecture | 12 |
| Seminar | 20 |
| Practical classes and workshops | 8 |
| Independent Study | 130 |
| Directed Study | 30 |
| Total Hours Selected | 200 |
Learning Outcomes
| # | Learning Outcome |
|---|---|
| LO1 | Achieve an advanced understanding of contemporary developments in UK employee relations and critically assess competing theoretical approaches, perspectives and interpretations in the field. |
| LO2 | Provide professional advice and guidance on the different forms of employment relations management strategy, policy and practices in a range of settings and organisations. |
Module Requisites
N/A
Assessment Criteria
| Assessment Category | Assessment Type | Description | Duration | Word Count | Weight (%) | Best of? | Pass Mark |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Synchronous Onsite Assessment (Exam) | Onsite Closed Book Examination 1 | A test of knowledge and ability by questions not known to the candidate prior to the examination | 180 | N/A | 50 | No | 40 |
| Asynchronous Assessment | Case study 1 | A concentrated inquiry into a single case. A written report subject that draws on knowledge and material from the module or course | 0 | 3000 | 50 | No | 40 |
Assessment Matrix
| Assessment Type | Learning Outcomes | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| LO1 | LO2 | ||
| Onsite Closed Book Examination 1 | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Case study 1 | ✔ | ✔ | |