Employee Relations Report: Industrial Democracy and HRM Impact

This report examines employee relations within the John Lewis partnership, focusing on key concepts such as unitary and pluralistic frames, and the influence of changes in trade unionism. It delves into the roles of key players in employee relations, and explores procedures for conflict resolution, including analysis of conflict causes, setting goals, and implementing strategic plans. The report also addresses the significance of negotiation in collective bargaining and its impact on conflict situations. Furthermore, it analyzes the influence of the EU on industrial democracy in the UK, methods for gaining employee participation, and the impact of human resource management on employee relations. The analysis covers how to effectively manage employee relationships, build teams, and create a positive environment, all aimed at achieving organizational goals and enhancing working efficiencies. The report uses relevant examples from John Lewis to illustrate these concepts, providing a comprehensive overview of employee relations management.

EMPLOYEE RELATIONS

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
1.1 Unitary and pluralistic frames...............................................................................................1
1.2 Significance of changes in trade unionism affected employee relations..............................2
1.3 Roles of main players in employee relationship...................................................................3
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................5
2.1 Procedures to dealing with conflicts.....................................................................................5
2.2 Key features employees relations in conflict situations........................................................6
2.3 Effectiveness of procedures used in conflict situations........................................................7
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................8
3.1 Role of negotiation in collective bargaining.........................................................................8
3.2 Impact of negotiation strategy for situation..........................................................................9
TASK 4..........................................................................................................................................10
4.1 Influence of EU on industrial democracy in UK................................................................10
4.2 Methods used for gaining employee participation and involvement in decision making...10
4.3 Impact of human resource management on employee relations.........................................12
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................13
REFERENCE.................................................................................................................................14

ILLUSTRATION INDEX
Illustration 1: Significance of Employee Relation...........................................................................4

INTRODUCTION
Employee relation is considered as relationship between employee and employer of the
organisation. It is related to achieving entity's effectiveness as well meeting goals efficiently. The
present report is based on understanding significance of employee relations for John Lewis
partnership. It belongs to retail industry and provide clothes, watches, jewellery, food items to a
million people of the world. In this regard, unitary and pluralistic frames as well importance of
changes in trade unionism's influence on employee relations can be understood. Moreover, key
features of employee relations for solving out conflicts will be introduced. In addition to this, this
assignment also covers to understand negotiation in solving out conflict occurred in the entity.
However, methods used for gaining employees' participation towards working in group and
influence of human resource management on employee relation is to discussed.
TASK 1
1.1 Unitary and pluralistic frames
It is recognised that coordination of employee and employer is essential to meet business'
goals and increasing its efficiency. For this purpose, managers prepare strategies for coordination
among workers and emerging interests to increase entity's effectiveness (Paterson, 2015). In
addition to this, for employee relations and managing work, two approaches are followed on
such as; unitary and pluralistic which can be understood as:
Unitary frame:
Under this approach, manager manages his work at his own level by segmenting work
according to his analysis. In this regard, he is responsible for making important decisions
regarding business operations as such selecting team leader, work segmentation among them and
so on (Al-Sarayrah and et.al., 2016). However, there is no discussion between employees and
employers which depends on entity's effectiveness and growth. In accordance to this, it emphasis
on following philosophies that can be understood as:
 Manager has ability to manage work himself as well dividing work among its employees
for organisation's effectiveness.
 For finding out the best solution out of alternatives, brainstorming session is quite
essential which influences entity's business performance and growth.
Pluralistic approach:
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Manager of John Lewis follows this approach for employee relations and emerging their
interests towards coordination in achieving entity's effectiveness. In accordance to this, employer
discusses with workers regarding work . Similarly, he conducts session for choosing their team
leader as per their views. In this process, he provides alternatives for team members that who
should be their leader and in whose power and authority, they would like to work for. Along with
this, it is recognised that there is good bonding and coordination is analysed (Sigala and Chalkiti,
2015). Besides this, an effective and positive environment is created for organisation's
effectiveness and managing relations with them. Thus, by implementing this approach, proper
communication is identified between manager workers.
However, John Lewis partnership considers pluralistic approach for maintaining relations
with its employees and creating understanding between them. Moreover, it is an effective
approach which influences environment positively as well coordinating between them (Björkman
and et.al., 2013). Thus, with the help of this approach, good relations are analysed between
manager and its employees which is good increasing their working efficiencies and
organisation's business performance.
1.2 Significance of changes in trade unionism affected employee relations
Trade unions are group of workers, voluntarily working for employee benefits and
protecting their rights from being exploited by higher authorities. In this regard, different
positive impacts are determined in employer-employee relations, decreasing health and safety
issues, higher pay and benefits as; health care, retirement and other benefits (Khan, 2013).
Therefore, for maintaining employee relations in John Lewis partnership, policy and plans and
legislation are followed on for workers' protection and welfare. In accordance to this, changes in
trade unionism's impact on employees' welfare can be understood as:
 Wages and other benefits:
Trade union is established for taking care of an individual's right in respect of his salary,
wages, incentives and other benefits (Nery, Neiva and Mendonça, 2016). However, it is
considered for providing salary and benefits to workers as determined for providing them for
their welfare.
 Health and protection legislation:
As rules and legislation amended in 20th century for protecting workers and providing
health benefits. For this purpose, John Lewis provides insurance facilities to its workers in terms
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of health, life and improving their safety. In addition to this, health and other benefits are
provided to them which is for building up their trusts (Olander and et.al., 2016). Moreover, it is
effective for reducing health and other issues as well maintaining good relations with them.
Thus, changes in trade unionism is effective for maintaining good relations among
workers. In this regard, determined wages and other benefits are provided to an individual to
improve his safety and security as well encouraging effective coordination (Backhaus, 2014).
Likewise, it is effective for maintaining and improving workers' employment conditions.
Therefore, trade unions and legislation are significant for workers' welfare and providing them
health as well other benefits.
1.3 Roles of main players in employee relationship
Being HR assistant, I analysed that employee relations and their management is essential
in John Lewis partnership. It is linked with coordination among them towards team building and
working for company's growth. However, it is needed to encourage workers for effective
corporation regarding working in group also impact on their working efficiencies. Accordingly,
HR professionals and managers play effective role for employee relations and creating positive
environment of the entity (SheeMun and et.al., 2013). In this process, workers who involved for
coordination in team and achieving entity's effectiveness can be identified as:
 Employer/manager:
It is recognised that employer analyses workers' performance as well discusses with them
regarding team work. In accordance to this, good coordination among them can be recognised as
well strong bonding is evaluated for working together. Including this, manager conducts session
and development program for motivating them and gaining corporation to build team and
achieving set objectives of John Lewis partnership (Witt and et.al., 2013). Moreover, manager
appreciates workers' performance and coordination in group so they can work better. It
influences working efficiency of workers by improving skills also related with their personality
and professionalism. Along with this, employers organize training and development program for
enhancing working efficiency of its workers and improving performance more effectively.
Therefore, effective bonding between both employer and employee can be made which
influences company's environment and team building efficiency.
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 Employees:
Employees and team workers of John Lewis also play effective role in building up good
relations and creating its positive environment. In this regard, motivated employees encourage
others for supporting the team and increasing skills. Similarly, various tools are determined for
bonding in team and supporting each other to achieve organisation's goals. Along with this, it is
resulted to decreasing conflicts and disputes among them as of helping team in terms of good
coordination among them (Ivens and Schaarschmidt, 2015). Therefore, employees; involvement
is crucial for building up good relations and achieving company's goals more effectively.
 Government:
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Illustration 1: Significance of Employee Relation
(Source: Employee Relation Importance, 2016).

Government makes policy and legislation for protecting employees and reducing issues
for John Lewis partnership. In accordance to this, for motivating employees and maintaining
relations, some essential rules and regulations are made in context to their wages, salary, health
and life insurance and so on (Chemmanur, Cheng and Zhang, 2013). Therefore, workers get
motivated and perform work in more effective way. In addition to this, different tools are
determined for maintaining relations and protecting them. Likewise, it is related with
government plans and creating coordination between employer and employee of the company.
Hence, for managing employees' relation and building up team effectively, all three
above mentioned contributors play significant role. It is also impacted on organisation's
environment and good coordination to achieve entity's goals. Thus, employee relationship
management is essential for encouraging them and creating effective bonding among them.
TASK 2
2.1 Procedures to dealing with conflicts
It is general to occurrence of conflicts and dispute among workers towards working
together and team building. It is because of lack of coordination and understanding,
discrimination and so other reasons. However, it impacts on environment of John Lewis entity
negatively which is not good to achieve targets and increasing its effectiveness (Nguyen, 2015).
Therefore, it is needed to reduce these conflicts and issues which is possible through following
on below mentioned procedures as:
 Analysing the cause:
Conflicts are occurred due to several reasons as; lack of bonding, mismanagement of
team work, imbalanced work segmentation among team members etc. Therefore, at first, it is
required for HR professional to find out the reason behind this conflict and further make
appropriate decision to solve out the issue. However, it can be done through consulting and
discussion with them regarding the dispute as well asking their views to decrease the issue
(Mathieu and et.al., 2016). Thus, it is an effective approach to reach out the solution properly
influences positive atmosphere of the entity.
 Setting goals and strategic plans:
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After analysing the issue and reasons behind it, objectives are set as well strategies are
prepared to segment work according to an individual's working ability. Including this, it is also
decided that by following on strategy will be suitable for team building and encouraging workers
for better corporation (Ibrahim and Al, 2014). Moreover, manager of John Lewis plans for
conducting training and development programs to enhance workers' efficiencies.
 Implementing plans:
As determined plan in call context including cost incurred, time consumed on each
activity, segmenting work among employees according to their capability and so on (Alsabbah
and Ibrahim, 2013). Therefore, plans are converted into actions for employee relations and
increasing bonding among them effectively. It will be in favour of achieving effectiveness of
John Lewis as well its environment can be more effective. Therefore, for reducing conflicts, set
strategies are implemented by using tools as job rotation, job specification and so on.
 Performance evaluation:
After implemented plans and working on decreasing issues, performance of an individual
is analysed in terms of comparison with last time's performance. In this process, progress and
coordination among workers is identified which is related with team efficiency and performance
of John Lewis. Including this, critical evaluation is done on workers' performance in terms of
both positive and negative aspects. On behalf of this, various ideas are generated related to
improving performance and increasing coordination among them effectively.
Therefore, conflicts among workers can be reduced by implementing above mentioned
planning. It will be effective for effective coordination among workers and creating positive
environment of John Lewis effectively (Noe and et.al., 2014).
2.2 Key features employees relations in conflict situations
It is essential for John Lewis to reduce conflicts occurred within it by which effective
bonding can be created between management and workers. For reducing the issues, their
relations and team building will be more effective. However, its significance for company's
positive environment and effective corporation of workers can be identified as:
 Increasing corporation between employer and employee:
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It is essential for effective corporation and creating understanding between them
influences atmosphere of John Lewis. In addition to this, various tools are used for team building
and reducing conflicts (Chen, Liao and Chi, 2014). Therefore, proper management of group can
identify as well it is recognised that workers will perform more efficiently. Moreover, workers
encourage for effective corporation and working together more efficiently.
 Generated ideas for better work performance:
With the help of employees' coordination, variety of ideas are generated for team building
as discussing with workers and so on. However, they get motivated and coordinate at maximum
level to achieve goals of John Lewis. In addition to this, conflict resolution management is
identified for which employees can perform in more effective manner (Jaiswar and Singha,
2015). Along with this, understanding among them can also be reduced that are linked with
meeting its objectives as well improving efficiency. Therefore, conflict can be resolved as well
good coordination among will achieve for reducing them and helpful to create peaceful
environment.
 Training and development programs:
During discussion with employees, ideas are generated for improving their efficiencies
and working style. However, organising training and development programs and related tools are
recognised which impact on environment and performance of John Lewis. In addition to this,
ideas are created regarding workers' performance and increasing corporation through
development programs (Saxena, 2014). Therefore, conflicts occurred in organisation can be
reduced also useful to enhance working abilities of the entity.
Thus, solving out conflicts and increasing employees' performance is needed for the
organisation impacts environment. Moreover, various ideas are generated for enhancing working
efficiencies and improving working efficiency of workers. Including this, it is essential for
reducing issues and creating understanding environment among co-workers.
2.3 Effectiveness of procedures used in conflict situations
As mentioned procedures and effectiveness of reducing conflict situation within John
Lewis partnership, it is quite effective for managing people. In addition to this, disputes occurred
among employees will be reduced systematically as of discussion with them. Moreover, it is
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recognised that environment of the entity will be more positive and peaceful impacted on
workers' efficiency. Including this, conflicts among workers can be solved out effectively as their
working efficiency will also improve (Anand and et.al., 2016). Besides this, conflicting
situations will be reduced through conducting training and development program. Under
procedure for reducing conflicting situations, it is analysed that all strategies are essential to be
implemented affect environment and working efficiencies of workers. Moreover, using job
rotation and other tools will be effective for increasing understanding among workers as well
corporation in better ways (Van, Linde and Cockeran, 2013). Therefore, by implementing
determined strategies will be effective for reducing conflicts occurred in the entity as well
appropriate to improve their efficiencies.
TASK 3
3.1 Role of negotiation in collective bargaining
Negotiation is a conflict resolution process for convincing both parties as of collective
bargaining. In this regard, effective environment of John Lewis is created which impacted on
workers' performance. Including this, both parties which involved in conflict try to create
understanding and reaching to an appropriate benefited for both of them (Khan, 2013). Likewise,
it is suitable for reducing conflicts and team building. In this regard, importance of negotiation
for reducing conflicts between parties can be understood as:
 Increasing understanding among parties and mutual decisions:
Under negotiation process, conflicting parties work for reducing issues also try to
convince each other. Therefore, on a certain point, an effective decision is made in terms of
achieving effectiveness of John Lewis. Similarly, solution for reducing the issue is determined
efficiently also influences its environment (Olander and et.al., 2016). Thus, negotiation is helpful
for conflict management and reaching out to a proper solution favourable for both parties.
 Improving quality of work:
By mutual decision, it is identified that quality of work and efficiency of John Lewis can
be improved. However, effective solutions are determined in terms of negotiation and managing
work. In addition to this, it is effective for better quality services and corporation of team
workers towards achieving goals. Along with this, clear goal and strategies are recognised for
which working quality of employees is increased (Backhaus, 2014). Therefore, support from all
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workers is identified for which their working abilities get enhanced. Hence, it is recognised that
conflict management approach as negotiation is useful for solving out the issue and improving
working quality as of team building and reaching out to set goals.
 Clear and effective communication:
Negotiation approach is effective for sharing views of both parties involved in conflict on
which solutions are identified. However, clear and effective communication is identified as well
for collective bargaining. Including this, various tools are identified regarding work for finding
out solutions and sharing strategies among participants who involved in strategic plan (SheeMun
and et.al., 2013). Therefore, with the help of negotiation, communication among parties get
effective also remain effective to reach out a specific decision to create coordination among
workers and improving working abilities.
Hence, negotiation is an effective approach of conflict management and employee
relations impacts on organisation's environment and workers' performance. Including this, in
terms of collective bargaining, understanding towards issues and their solutions get increased.
Including this, a clear and appropriate decision is made towards working efficiency and
atmosphere of John Lewis partnership (Witt and et.al., 2013). It influences better quality of work
and strategic management towards reducing the issues and appropriate decision making process.
Hence, negotiation is an essential approach for reducing disputes and preparing strategies
effectively.
3.2 Impact of negotiation strategy for situation
Negotiation is essential for preparing strategies towards reducing issues and creating
peaceful environment for mutual decisions. However, a clear and appropriate tool is identified
for managing conflicts and improving efficiencies. In addition to this, effective communication is
determined among conflict parties to meet goals and proper employees' relations (Ivens and
Schaarschmidt, 2015). Moreover, through discussion on conflicts, variety of ideas are generated
for reducing the issue. Similarly, it is also determined that which factor is required to be put on
priority. Therefore, occurred situations can be reduced effectively impacted on employer-
employee relations.
Therefore, negotiation is an effective approach for conflict management and increasing
understanding towards solutions and appropriate decision making. In addition to this, it is for
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