Employee Relations

 

Figure 1, source; (vantage circle)

Employee relations is another major event in the modern HRM concepts. Employee relationships can be mentioned as the dynamic interaction, connections and mutual understanding between the employee & employers. According to Verlinden (2024), Employee relations are about reinforcing the ties between the employer and employees and making the company a better place to work.

Employee relations can be status on two types based on the hierarchy, (darwinbox, 2024).

• Vertical employee relation – This is top to bottom relations. Which means the relationships between manager & employee.
• Horizontal employee relation – This is the relationship among the same level employee in the company. 

Importance of the employee relations

This is very importance from both points of views of employee & organization. According to Martic (2023), few reasons has mentioned for the employee relations.

1. Employee engagement – With better employee communication, employee engagement will increase.
2. Employee satisfaction – Less engaged employees are less satisfied.
3. Employee productivity – Well established employee relation culture can boost productivity.
4. Employee retention – Employee turnover can be reduced.
5. Employee advocacy – Importance in the view of organization visibility & brand awareness.
6. Employee experience – Very healthy for an organization.
7. Employee empowerment – Gain employee confident to responsible in managing works and making own decisions to achieve their goals.
8. Employee conflicts – avoiding conflicts within the employees.

Employee relations issues

Common Issues for employee relations in an organization can be pointed out as below,(Opala, 2023).

• Communication problems
• Performance management
• Discrimination and harassment
• Workplace conflict:
• Workplace safety
• Compensation and benefits

Strategies to effective employee relations

Figure 1, source; (AIHR)

Managing an employee relation strategy is an important part with modern HRM concepts. Below practices can be mentioned as some strategies, Verlinden (2024).

1. Understand the psychological contract – this is based on the belief or the trust of employee regarding the organization. Two key things to highlight is keeping the promises and clear in the communications.
2. Ensure honest communication – communications should be honest, timely and strait forward. Maintaining transparent and open communication channels are important.
3. Promote the company vision – Sharing company’s vison & mission and explain employee involvement. Therefore, employee can feel and engage around the common objectives.
4. Trust people – empowering employees to manage their work & make decisions apart from trying to micromanage them.
5. Improve recognition and appreciation – admiring employee’s efforts and good work done is a key to strong relationships.
6. Invest in people – providing resources, benefits, learning & development, well-being programs.
7. Foster DEIB – ensuring diversity, equity, inclusion & belonging to boost employee dynamics.
8. Consider legal aspects – understanding of the regulations and awareness of they are receiving entitled rights & benefits. (wages, overtime, safety etc.)
9. Monitor employee relations – through the employee relation measuring, it can be identified the required improvement areas.
10. Employee relation policy – create positive workplace by anticipating to address employee relation issues.   

Video 1, source; (YouTube)

Conclusion

Building & maintaining a positive employee relation is very important to an organization’s success. Things like giving the correct & positive ideas among the employees, mutual respect, awareness of employee’s expectation & contribution for common objectives, building the trust are the key factors. Development on employee relation culture is not only boost the morale of employee but also enhance retention rates and overall business performance.

 

References

darwinbox, 2024. darwinbox. [Online]
Available at: https://explore.darwinbox.com/hr-glossary/employee-relations-meaning
[Accessed 28 March 2024].

Martic, K., 2023. Haiilo. [Online]
Available at: https://haiilo.com/blog/what-are-employee-relations-and-why-are-they-important/
[Accessed 28 March 2024].

Opala, R., 2023. Linkedin. [Online]
Available at: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/what-common-employee-relations-issues-ruth-lutsili/
[Accessed 28 March 2024].

softwareworld, 2023. softwareworld. [Online]
Available at: https://www.softwareworld.co/what-is-employee-relations/
[Accessed 28 March 2024].

Verlinden, N., 2024. AIHR. [Online]
Available at: https://www.aihr.com/blog/employee-relations/
[Accessed 27 March 2024].