Employee Relations Report: ASDA, Unitary vs Pluralistic Frames

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of employee relations, focusing on the context of ASDA, a British supermarket chain. The report begins by contrasting unitary and pluralistic frames of employee relations, exploring how these perspectives shape management approaches and employ...Read More

Employee Relation

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
1.1 Unitary and pluralistic frames...............................................................................................1
1.2 Changes in trade unionism have affected employee relations ............................................2
1.3 Role of main players in employee relations .........................................................................2
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................3
2.1 Procedure of conflicts situation.............................................................................................3
2.2 Features of employee relation...............................................................................................4
2.3 The effectiveness of procedures used to selected conflicts situations..................................4
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................5
3.1 Role of negotiation in collective bargaining.........................................................................5
3.2 Impact of negotiation strategy on ASDA.............................................................................5
TASK 4 ...........................................................................................................................................6
4.1 Influence of EU on industrial democracy in the UK.............................................................6
4.2 Methods use to gain employee participation and decision making process in organisation.7
4.3 Impact of human resource management on employee relations ..........................................7
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................8
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................8

INTRODUCTION
A relation between the organisation and their employees is essential so that management
can understand about the workplace, problems and conflicts. In every organisation, the
relationship should be strong between employee and the company so that the business can have
better success in the market. If the employee relation is strong it will develop healthy
environment in the workplace which will increase productivity. For the productive performance
of the business it is important to have a strong and good relationship between the co worker and
the organisation. Every co workers should complement each other so that they can motivate and
work as a single unit or group. In ASDA, management is well focused towards well maintained
relationship between employees and management. To achieve the targeted goals, this report
focuses on healthy relationship among employers and employees (Bhatnagar, 2007). ASDA is a
British super market in retailer, its a second largest supermarket chain. This report shows the
rules and policies of management.
TASK 1
1.1 Unitary and pluralistic frames
A unitary frame is a term which shows the belief of the management for sustainable
purpose. It is also related to the membership and management which makes the better
environment in the organisation. It mainly helps in making collective efforts to achieve the goals
of the organisation. In ASDA, each and every employee works towards achieving or meeting the
common goals in the organisation which shows the bonding with each other. There are number
of factors which impact every organisation working like trade unions and restrictive practices,
This company also allows their employees to participate in decision making and allows the firm
to improve the communication among the employees and the organisation. Unitary perspectives
also gives importance to develop personally and professionally aspects which are essential for
firm (Vakola and Nikolaou, 2005).
In pluralistic frame, the organisation divides employees into sub-groups and every group
as its own responsibilities in order to meet objectives. The main two sub groups are management
and trade unions which defines different objectives and values. Pluralism is more perfect and
suitable in many of the organisation which is efficient for better relationship with employees.
ASDA is using unitary frame to understand the thinking way of their employees which help the

working environment more suitable to work for them (Greasley, and et.al., 2005). This is very
important because it become easy for the employees to be more comfortable while working by
becoming a single unit for the organisation.
1.2 Changes in trade unionism have affected employee relations
Change means a application of aspects which makes the conditions more better. As same
the change in trade union as a great impact on relationship of employees. In this social factors
are also being considered for improvement in industrial relations. In terms of concepts and
implementation the diverse values are being promoted effectively. It is a system in which the
employees are supported to raise the voice and get solutions for their issues and problems. The
trade union mainly works for the rights of employees which contribute in achieving the targets
and goals for the organisation which makes the direct impact on employees and their work
(Reichheld and Covey, 2006). This is a way or the medium through which the rights and
benefits for employees and the management can be promoted. ASDA take help of trade union
which makes direct impact and also works for the employees by supporting to make the
environment better for working. There are making many impacts on the relationship of
employees and employer.
Change in policy of trade union also impacts the sustainable development in positive
manner. By having application of change the opportunities is being advanced. Equality and other
aspects are being taken into account so that goals and objectives are being accomplished
effectively. Unions make new policies to discuss about the management and employees which
also makes the impact on the employees relations.
Change in objectives of Union also promotes the employee relation effectively for
sustainable development. In this salary and employees related aspects are being promoted
effectively to meet the objectives. It improves the standardisation of trade union. This is a
method in which incentives are proposed after discussing with the employees. Its a type of
fraction between every employee and the employer. With an assistance of this, issues can be
overcome in desired manner.
1.3 Role of main players in employee relations
Employee relation is important part of every organisation which as to be managed in a
good manner. There are many players who have their own significance in the organisation and
there are as follows:

Manager: They are the players of the organisation who maintains the employee relations.
Managers are the head leader of the organisation who arranges work and also help them in doing
their work on time (Ngo, Lau and Foley, 2008). They help the employees by allotting them work
and assist them by giving proper knowledge which the managers have according to the related
work. Manager is a head person who have initiatives for development of organisation and the
employees. All the organisations activities are managed by the key person who manages and
improves the work management which is called manager.
Trade Union: It is a authoritical management who work for employees and have a great
role to make better work environment for the workers. It helps in solving the problems and issues
through which a employee is passing in the organisation. Trade union's working helps in
improving the work environment.
Employer and employees: These are the main players of the organisation who have
relationship with working conditions and work. These people have mutual concerns for both the
sides. In this, responsibilities and proper communication need to be improved for betterment of
the work. Every employees of the organisation wants better work and services so that their needs
can be accomplished (Chand and Katou, 2007).
TASK 2
2.1 Procedure of conflicts situation
Every company faces conflicts regarding employee relations and they are as follows:
 Identify the source of the conflicts: The main point is to identify the conflicts and find out
their solutions. If management holds the details about the conflicts it will be more easy to
solve the conflicts and in an easy way. The person should provide all the reason for the
conflicts which is beneficial to find the solutions so, both the parties are given chance to
explain their reasons. In ASDA, the conflicts can be on timings, work pressure or incentives.
If some of the conflicts are related to employees then the management as to go in depth of
the conflicts and sort them out.
 Look beyond the incident: Sometimes, in ASDA the conflicts are very minor or small but its
pulled out long by both the parties so it becomes big so to improve the working it is
significant. It helps in overcome the issues for sustainable development effectively. Request
solutions: This is the point when the management has to decide by talking to both the

parties who are affected by conflicts and find the solutions about it (Vakola and Bouradas,
2005). It is the stage where bargaining is beneficial for sustainable improvement. It assist in
meeting the demand effectively. The listener must be active and also pay attention to the
body language so it becomes easy to understand the issues.
 Identify solutions both disputants can support: In this step, after listening to both the
parties a proper solution has to be made in which organisation must also be considered. The
decision should be done according to the welfare of the organisation.
 Implementation: It is the part when the two parties are made to shake hands with each other
which mean the conflicts or the problem is sorted out without facing any problems. And in
the end its the managements responsibility to check if the conflicts are solved correctly
between both the parties (Roberts, 2007).
2.2 Features of employee relation
There are many features of employee relation which ASDA Company is following.
Employer-employee relations are told to be the outcomes of the employment relationship in the
business which can not exist without the two parties. It means the ASDA and employees both
must focus on better relationship with each other. Along with this, the collective working of both
aspects is also sustainable for the organisation
A) This shows the relation which is collective connected to relation between employer,
trade unions and the role of the state in regulating. Better relationship with governmental
authorities also assist the organisation for sustainable development.
B) This is the concept in which the relation of employer-employee can be multi-
dimensional improvement. Its a process which shows organized and unorganized working
collectively.It under goes changing structures in the industry because of the change made in the
business need to be according to standards.
Executives policies and activities regarding the human resource are mainly managed by the
human resource management which shows the aspects of enterprise of employee-employer
relations and their relationships. The main aim of employees-employer is to maintain harmony
between labour and management because it improves skills and methods of adjusting with each
other. In employee-employer relation system several parties are involved and the main parties are
the government, employees and their unions and also the employer and their associations.

2.3 The effectiveness of procedures used in selected conflicts situations
ASDA is a British retailer brand of clothing which is second largest retail business.
Business has focused on diverse procedures in order to overcome the issues. Feedback and
conflict management allows to understand the issues effectively. It helps in understand the
conflict from top to bottom and then decide about the solution. The manager has played a very
important role in the ASDA so; it was manager’s duty to listen carefully to the conflicts created
in the company which affects the growth in the business. Conflict management steps has helped
in improving the communication for sustainable development. After that, the manager has abled
to solve the problem by considering about the ASDA work environment as well. Collective
bargaining is also important to the ASDA company because it is beneficial to both the sides
(Zeffane, Ibrahim and Al Mehairi, 2008). It assist in understanding the company circumstances
properly to deal with the conflicts. In any business its very important to first understand the
problem carefully and then ask both the parties after listening to them, finally give the decision.
This makes both the parties satisfied by the given decision according to related business.
Allocation of roles and responsibilities is being improved which is beneficial to deal with issues.
Its the main responsibility of the manager to listen to both the parties who are involved in the
conflict by paying proper attention to their words so that the decision is made under the
consideration of the business. The business should not be harmed at any cost (Zeffane, Ibrahim
and Al Mehairi, 2008).
TASK 3
3.1 Role of negotiation in collective bargaining
The role of negotiation in collective bargaining is an important part for the company.
Labour relationships in the company are very sensitive in the supermarket area. As collective
bargaining is the part of labour process negotiation. It is an agreement between the labour and
employees. In this agreement, it specifies the terms and condition of the labour with the company
for a period of time. After the agreement, the wages are decided by the mangers which depend
on the terms and conditions of the labour. ASDA company gives a package to the labour which
can change the terms and conditions of labour to covering the area of workload, overtime,
holidays etc. It motivates the employees to achieve the goal of the company. Collective
bargaining is a long process in contract of negotiation. The mangers of the company protect

interest of the labour to make the strong relationship with the employees and to satisfy their
needs. ASDA considered that the packages which are giving to labour is different from the
normal paid to the labour. The wages of the labour will depend on the financial position of the
company. It is not necessary to increase the wages of employees if the level of production is
increased. (Ruel, Bondarouk and Van der Velde, 2007).
The stages of negotiation are also important to be considered in the company to set the
wages or to dissolve the problem of employees. These stages are:
figure1: stages of negotiation
 Prepare - In this process, the company decide the objectives with their employees and
decide the area in which these plans can be implemented properly.
 Discuss - Discuss the position with the employees that in which area they will do their
work properly, provide them a positive working environment and listen the problems of
employees carefully to solve their problems.
 Purpose - The Company should give chance to employees and labours that what is the
problem regarding their work and purpose to achieve the goals of the company.

 Bargain - The company ask the employees and labour that what they and what the
company can provide to employees and labours. The employees and labour does not
concede anything without bargaining anything.
3.2 Impact of negotiation strategy on ASDA
Negotiation strategies solve the conflicts of employees which are faced by them in the
organisation. It provides various solutions to the company which cannot be handled by the
organisation. ASDA follow the collaborative strategy which can be also known as win – win
strategy. In this strategy the outcomes and relationship of employees are important for ASDA
enterprises. (McDonald and et. al., 2005). Therefore, company trying to attempt objectives all
time to maximize their profits every year and to maintain the strong relationship with the
employees. Hence, at the end of the year the output of both outcomes and relationship with the
employees are considered and compare whether the company has maintain the strategy or not.
The impact of the negotiation strategy is positive for the firm. The main focus of this
strategy s to maintain the good relation with the employees and to overcome with the positive
results of outcome. In collaborative strategy, sometimes employees face the problem regarding
the time management and overload of the work. The company can adopt different strategies but
this can impact on the employee relationship also. In the present context of ASDA, if the
company needs to achieve the goals on time the managers should also take care of the labours
and satisfy their needs. It is necessary to ask the problems or situation in which the employees
are not willing to do work in the organisation. There is need to motivate the employees time to
time provide incentives, bonus, positive working environment which can help to the company to
fulfil their targets on time.
The employees of the organisation it is necessary to provide them a best solutions of their
conflicts which help the company to maintain the good relation with them (Allen and et. al.,
2007).
TASK 4
4.1 Influence of EU on industrial democracy in the UK
The industrial democracy is influenced by European policies by their rules and
regulation. European Union includes those members who want to do their business outside the
country and to follow the rules to get a benefits(Edwards, 2009). European Union policies and

UK government rules and regulation have big impact on UK business organisation in today's
time activities. In EU it provides the safe working environment to the employees who are
working under the EU. The structure of industrial democracy has negative influence on some
European countries. On the side, European legislation encourages the role of employees in the
organisation to make the good decision making process (Atkinson, 2007).. The business of UK
is also influenced by the different policies which are made by UK government. These policies
are taxation policy, education and training policies, employment policies etc.. EU makes equal
rules and policies for their employees which are differentiated from other countries. It helps
those countries who are the member of EU.
4.2 Methods used to gain employee participation and decision making process in organisation
Employee participation is necessary in the organisation to make fruitful decision for the
company (Center and et. al., 2008). If employees do not participate in the decision of the
management then it can impact relation of employees with the company. There are the some
following methods which can help the organisation to gain the employee participation:
1. Employee can participate through team work in which the employees can works on the
projects and take various responsibilities which are delegated to them. It helps the
organisation to make best decision for their employees.
2. Employee can participate through the suggestion scheme, when company gives
opportunity to employees to give new ideas that how the work objectives of the firm can
be achieve. (Dimitriades, 2007). It improves the communication skills of the employees
and increases their confident regarding the ideas which they have given in the
organisation.
3. Positive feedback can be taken by the employees that whether the projects are done in a
systematic manner. If employees give the negative feedback then it will difficult for the
organisation to take the positive feedback.
4. When board of directors of the company are taking decision regarding the employees
benefits they should also involve workers in taking the decision regarding them.
These above points help the company to take decision regarding their employees and they can
also easily participate in the activities of the organisation (Newsom, Turk and Kruckeberg,
2012).

4.3 Impact of human resource management on employee relations
Human resource management has established a significant role in employee relation
(Bolton and Houlihan, 2009). They maintain the coordination of employees with other
departments. In human resource management, there is a significant role of HR person who
maintains the coordination of employees with other departments. If any disputes arise between
the different departments then it is the responsibility of HR person or manager to dissolve their
problem on time. There may be positive or negative impact of HR person in the organisation but
it helps the employees to solve their problems. HR person gives opportunity to employees to
prove their capabilities in which job vacancy have been arises.
They recruit the new employees and provide them a training by the expertise in
organisation. So that the new employees does not get problem regarding that work. HR person or
manager has to create a positive environment in the organisation for the employees to do their
work properly. Sometimes, HR person conducts activities which can improve the communication
skills of employees, to increase their knowledge, capacities regarding their work and to motivate
employees. HR manager is responsible for all problems which can create a conflict between two
different departments. They are representative of the company when they take the interview of
the person (Bergman and Gardiner, 2007). They give the basic information about the company to
employees while recruiting them. If any information is leaked by the HR manger then they will
be responsible to pay the some amount of fine to which they are responsible. This gives negative
effect to the employees about the organisation.
CONCLUSION
It can be concluded from the above report that ASDA Company is using the negotiation
strategy which mainly focuses outcome and relationship of employees with the organisation. The
enterprises is adopting the different plan strategies to encourage the employees. It helps the
employees to work in a dynamic environment. HR person provide solution to their employees
who are facing any problem in the organisation. The European Union make those rules and
regulation which help the UK companies to develop their business outside the country also.
REFERENCES
Books and journals

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