An In-Depth Report on Employee Relations at British Airways

This report provides an in-depth analysis of employee relations, focusing on British Airways as a case study. It examines key aspects such as pluralistic and unitary frames of reference, the impact of trade unions, and the roles of various players in employee relations, including managers, employees,...Read More

Employee Relations

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION ..........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
1.1 Pluralistic and unitary frames of reference...........................................................................1
1.2 Changes in Trade Union that impacted in employee relation ..............................................2
1.3 Role of main players in employee relations..........................................................................3
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................4
2.1 Procedures an enterprise should follow when dealing with various conflict situations.......4
2.2 Key features of workers relations in a conflict situation.......................................................5
2.3 Effectiveness of procedures in a conflict situation ..............................................................6
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................7
3.1 Negotiations role in collective bargaining............................................................................7
3.3 Effects of negotiation strategy for a difficult situation.........................................................8
TASK 4............................................................................................................................................9
4.1 Influence of European Union on industrial democracy........................................................9
4.2 Methods to be used to increase workers involvement and participation in decision process
.....................................................................................................................................................9
4.3 Assessing effect of human resource management on worker relations..............................10
CONCLUSION .............................................................................................................................11
REFERENCES .............................................................................................................................13
.......................................................................................................................................................14

INTRODUCTION
In a general context, employee relation is identified as a common understanding between
managers and workers. However, there are several laws that mainly focus on monitoring as well
as managing both the party’s relation in a systematic manner. So, in this way, high coordination
level can be sustained. Competitive advantages help business in order to maintain appropriate
relationship with its stockholders (Employee Relation, 2015). So that they easily and positively
contributes all activities and functions of organisation. The present report is based on British
Airways to raise the level of learning or developing mutual link for the readers and learners in
respect of sustaining worker relations. Company is extend their activities and functions is
essential for the administration to maintain better kinship with its clients by pleasing their
requirements. Various kinds of techniques are determined in the report that involve different
roles and responsibilities of key players in employee relations in different conflict situations.
Duty and role of negotiations in collective bargaining which is also covered in this assignment.
There are several approaches are used in order to increase involvement and participation of
members. HRM influence the worker relation which is not good for the business to achieve long
term goals and objectives in an effective or efficient manner.
TASK 1
1.1 Pluralistic and unitary frames of reference
Struggles create the misunderstanding in between employers and employees which
directly affect their relationship. It will also put a huge impact on the business performance and
profitability at a large level. If the workers and manager kingship will be good which is helpful
and beneficial in order to developing a healthy as well as positive environment in company.
From the same, difficulty will be decreased and individual will work with each other for
attaining objectives and goals of the British Airways (Al-Waqfi and Forstenlechner, 2010). In
company, there are different employees working together so in this manger can motivated them
in order to achieve their personal goal. In this, various kind of frames are given under this:
Unitary Perspectives: It is define as the employees as well as business understanding as a
group and family. So it is identify as a value, thinking, attitude and assumed perception linked
with the company membership (Approaches to Industrial Relations, 2016). This approach is
supported on a statement in order to accomplishing goals, objectives, values and success of the
organisation. This method provide power and authority in the person hand that work in
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management level. However, responsibilities and duties of the senior manager is to control and
manage all activities in an effective way. With the use of this aspects people can make better
decision regarding employees and business performances.
Illustration 1: Industrial Relation Approaches
(Source: Approaches to Industrial Relations, 2016)
Pluralistic: It is another important frame of reference which is valuable and beneficial in
order to achieve goals and objectives as well as for the development of company. This
perspective includes all sub and powerful teams (Avey and et. al., 2010). They are responsible
and capable to attain the vision and mission of organisation within any difficulties. In this way,
management and trade unions play an essential role in order to control and make better
coordination among different departments. It will support in reducing all conflicts and
misunderstanding through gathering bargaining.
Radical reference frame: In order to make several modifications in doing any innovative
work and task. With the use of this company and their employees doing various activities which
is helpful in increasing their sales.
1.2 Changes in Trade Union that impacted in employee relation
Changing laws and regulations in trade union directly affect the worker’s relations at a
large level. Meaning of Union is define as a leaders and employees are work in community with
each other. Purpose and aim TU is to giving safe and better working surround to the staff
members. They are responsible in regards to promote and encouraged their common goals
towards pay scale, monetary as well as non- monetary advantages. With the use of specific
2

regulations, large number of employees were joined new models unions for acquiring fare
remuneration of the activity. As per the other hand that says TU are against the members
utilization as well as focuses on their advantages and benefits. There are numerous changes in
trade union that has highly influence the relation of employees which are determined under this:
British Airways use different kinds of advanced and new technology in order to reduce
additional cost or use of workforce (Bach and Kessler, 2011). It is indirectly and adversely
impacted on individual employment. An organisation encouraged in regards to revise with the
legislations related to retrenchment of HR. in this condition and situation, they protect for the
staffs from research their job opportunities. New technology aid the enterprise in order to
enhancing functions and operations of them. Both legal and political factor are main elements
that impacts directly to prospects towards employees relations. In this situation, upper
management level follows various legislation which is formed by authority of individual nation
in respect to avoid difficult conditions which are face by companies employers and employees.
1.3 Role of main players in employee relations
In each and every organisation, there are different players who play an important role in
the success and growth of company as well as in maintaining employee’s relations. But, in
British Airways, manager, workers and government are the key players that are responsible to
maintain a strong relationship among different employees (Demirbas and Yukhanaev, 2011).
They all support in maintaining harmonious and strong relations with them in a systematic
manner. In this situation, upper level management plays a significant role in motivating and
promoting persons to work with each other without developing misunderstanding.
Illustration 2: Main players in employee relation
Source: What is The Role of Industrial Relations?, 2017)
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Managers: One of the important parts of company in order to manage employee relation without
any difficulties (Key Player in Employee Relations, 2016). In this they are responsible to provide
different facilities to their workers such as fair remuneration, training & development section and
conference in order to increase their basic knowledge in particular subjects. It is beneficial to
reduce all problems which arise in their link. In this manger can cresting the harmonious and
better relationship among staffs.
Employees: In the business organisation, all members are do their work and task by contributing
their basic knowledge. All person are work together with the aim of achieving long as well as
short term objectives and goals of enterprise (Dreyer and et. al, 2010). It is needed for the
business to work with plan and policies of the business in a systematic manner. With the support
of this harmonious & healthy working relationship can be sustained between employer or
employees.
Government: In this employee relation, government also play important role in regards to
making better link with them. In this way legal authority provides their contributions in mange
all activities and function of the company. The mail duty of them to make policies or regulation
which is beneficial for business to easily complete all work. With the support of several rules
British Airways can achieve higher profitability at work place. There are several act which is
follows by the company such as discrimination, employment, health & safety etc. With the
support of this legislation an organisation can sustain better link with the workers.
Trade union: They are also very essential part of the organisation which play important role in
managing better relation with employees. They set different conditions and term such as
benefits, pay and working time which is important for the members in the unit of bargaining.
TASK 2
2.1 Procedures an enterprise should follow when dealing with various conflict situations
Relationship between employer and employee is necessary part in company because in
this they shows the efficiency and effectiveness of organisation. So in this relationship is better
which is useful as well as beneficial for the productivity and improvement of firm. There are
various employees are work with achieving common goals and values of enterprise (Frone and
Trinidad, 2012). Role of the manager is allot all task and activities to their subordinates in a
systematic way. Good employee relation is better and strong point of business growth and
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success. British Airways face different difficult situation in their business such as conflict
among the employees, workplace injury and other situation. So in this manager play essential
role as well as apply some procedures in order to reduce this difficulties which are described
under this:1. Understating difficulties: It is a prime steps that define what is problems. At the
workplace, different issues such as conflict which can boost at day to day in between
company and their workers. It is responsibilities of the manager to identify what is issue
and their solutions.2. Collecting necessary information: In this step, company collect all necessary data and
information with the use of various sources. Administrator of the British Airways never
take better judgement regarding employees issues. So they should try to provide different
facilities such as fair remuneration, and other services to their workers.3. Determining the data and information: After completing above all steps, manager can
analysis that necessary and beneficial in order to reduce their issues in a systematic
manner.4. Devising the imperative phase: With the use of this phase, manger can take essential
resources in context to resolving their misunderstanding or conflict problems (Kim and
Rhee, 2011). In this step, management is responsible to reduce all workplace conflict in a
proper way.
5. Execute the modifications: In this way all variations can make the better output to the
issues which is arise in the workplace. It is very important and needed, because in this all
issues never generate harm and struggle at workplace.
2.2 Key features of workers relations in a conflict situation
Employee relation is very essential and important part of the each and every enterprise
for the effective working at the workplace. With the help of better ling in between workers and
manger, company can achieve higher profitability ratio. It will also support in attaining long term
goals and objectives of them. Safe and healthy working environment are beneficial for the
business and their manger in order to solve all kind of conflicts which are present in the
organisation (Mathew and Jones, 2012). There are several features due to above difficult
situations which are determined under this:
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Cooperation: All conflict conditions that can raise the dissatisfaction level between companies
and their workers. In British Airways, employees are never satisfy and happy in order to
changing as well as developing existing environment to the workers. But in this changes,
authorities and staff members are not satisfied at any time. But is is important and essential for
the administrator in respect to agree with members regarding all modification with the support of
cooperation.
Communication: Accurate communication is beneficial in above difficult situation because
proper connection can maintain the healthy working environment. So with the help of this
features whole workplace conflict can be reduced in automatically (McCarthy and et. al., 2010).
It is very essential for transfer all business inform to workers with the transparent and clear
interaction.
Trust: It is another essential and beneficial features which is make better relation with
employees. In this way, misunderstanding and conflict which is face by the workers can be
reduced.
Mediation: With the use of this, all conflict can solve in a proper manner. In this manger is
capable to conduct conference and meting in order to inviting trade union. They are main player
in solving workplace issues. In the meting, all parties are comer together and give their opinion
towards problem and their solutions.
2.3 Effectiveness of procedures in a conflict situation
All procedures which is used in above questions with the purpose of solving workplace
conflict and misunderstanding which is face by the workers. As per the situation of struggle, it is
the role and responsibilities of manger in regards to undertake different methods. With the use of
appropriate approaches difficulties can be solved in a proper manner. Administrator can take
support of conflict handling process which gives correct platform for their staff members.
Mentioned organisation should have clear communication so in this way, all persons can
understand their tasks accordingly (McClean and Collins, 2011). Manger is capable to give
accurate platform where all persons can give their views as well as comment regarding their
difficulties, so in this way problem can be solved in an accurate way.
Moreover, in this process staff members have all authority in regards to speak anything
from mangers, so that in this ways all quires are can be solved as well as addressed in a correct
manner. To manage all difficult conditions between lady and gents workers which are working in
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company. In this way informal activity is highly impacts on the management to interact with he
or she employees. It will also support administration in regards to identifying better problem to
result which is faced by company employer and employees at workplace.
TASK 3
3.1 Negotiations role in collective bargaining
Collective bargaining: It is defines as a negotiations between labour union and manager usually
on hours, benefits, working conditions and wages etc. This all advantages are very important for
the employees in order to grow their personal and professional gaols and objectives. In order to
found the agreement about promotions as well as other employment to manage different conflict
which are present in the organisation.
Role of negotiations: It is one of the important and essential part of the employees success. This
will allow the company and their workers in regards to reach particular aspects in a systematic
manner (Morris, 2012). In British Airways, there are different number of the employees are work
with each other with the aim of achieving common goals. They follow collective bargaining
procedure to discuss with the manager as well as select the accurate tools in regards to show their
point of view. It will supportive in respects to solve the difficulties. Employees of the company
adopt this process to meet the employees demands. There are several kinds of negotiations duty
which are discussed under this report:
To enhance the work quality: Negotiations aid in order to intensify the work and task quality in
a systematic manner. In company, there are different employees are work with their necessities,
so in this way employer carry out different functions with the support of their union. It will help
employers to achieve goals and objectives of the organisation.
To improve the efficiency and effectiveness: Negotiations assist in order to improving efficiency
and effectiveness level in an accurate manner. Main role of this to solve all issues with the aid of
collective bargaining activity. It will also support in developing efficient & effective work
surround by managing the problems.
To reach productivity conclusion: Collective bargaining process is more essential for the
employees and employer to negotiate together in comparison to another aspects (Mathew and
Jones, 2012). These are impact the team members working practices in a unsystematic manner.
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In this way workers choose their representative who will capable to negotiate with administrator
as well as identify the solution for the issue in an effective way. It is also very essential activity
because it will support in respect to reach the better solution.
3.3 Effects of negotiation strategy for a difficult situation
Negotiation strategy: It is defined as a pre method as well as prepared action plan in order to
attain specific objectives or goals. In regards to make and find a contract & agreement in a talk
over with another parties. With the help of this strategy all conflict which is faced by the
employees at workplace are solved in a better way. This approach give the benefits to parties in
order to reducing misunderstanding (Michielsens and et. al., 2013). There are several types of
strategies which are determined under this:
Competing strategy: In this way, all competitions are reflects in an effective manner. In British
Airways, there are different number of competitors which effects the business sales and revenues
at large. Mentioned organisation can follow this scheme as the challengers are losers & winners.
It is identify as the positive effect on the culture of work in order to achieve success and growth
of enterprise in a short duration.
Accommodative: In order to sort out all problems which are more influence the performance of
enterprise. Main purpose of selecting this scheme is to meet the different crises towards
financial by reducing the conflict, termination and turnover problems. With the use of this
aspects workers can carry out different operations in an essential manner.
Avoiding strategy: It is another strategy which is adopted by manager and their workers to
reduce the problems. With the support of this aspects British Airways can identify main
difficulties due to work schedule. It is formed by the government with the purpose of avoid all
tactics to solved.
Compromising: British Airways select this strategy in regards to reduce all misunderstanding
which is faced by the workers at workplace (Theriou and Chatzoglou, 2014). In this way they
talk over for the condition in a systematic manner. There are different constraints of time period
which impact the workers performance towards position and work environment which are
present in the organisation.
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TASK 4
4.1 Influence of European Union on industrial democracy
Industrial democracy: It is defines as well as express employees which are regarded as
organisation partners. They can increasing the empowerment in order to take better judgement
towards satisfactory. There are several approach which are cover in this, such as opinion,
suggestion and commitment etc. It is very necessary and essential to the administration in
respects to covers the lawful representation of employees in activity of judgement-making. There
are several necessary points are cover in this way which are summarised under this:
Co-ordination practices: It is defines as essential and beneficial approach which involves work
council and structure both are covers as two levels are administrative and supervisory (Singh,
2011). It is related with employees basic rights from which they provide their involvement in the
administration.
European work council: It is known as government bodies which is express the company
workers. They will consults with British Airways management to the judgement of company that
can effect on the working conditions of European.
Information as well as consultation directive: It will provides the staff members rights which
are working in the organisation. It will founded from 2005, so in this all consultation and
information consist the employment framework, activity of taking determination from economic
condition and manager etc. An EU mechanisms which have to implemented an ambiance of the
cooperation and involvement which can increasing the staff members motivation level.
Treaty on European Union:It will impacted from 1993 as well as signed in Maastricht. Main
aim of this in order to maximising the EU efficiency and effectiveness as well as focus on
security policies.
4.2 Methods to be used to increase workers involvement and participation in decision process
There are several approaches which are very beneficial and valuable in order to involving
the workers judgement making activity in the involvement of staff members (Van Buren III and
et. al., 2011). These methods are determined under this:
Staff members participation and involvement: In this way, all employees are exchange their
ideas and points of views in decision making activity. It is identify as an effective motivation
techniques which is helpful and beneficial for the workers in order to achieve their personal and
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professional goals. Company can motivated their employees in order maximising the workers
satisfaction levels at workplace. This techniques is apply by the British Airways administration
for enhancing profit and development level of organisation.
Representative engagement: It is define as an effective approach where TU manage as well as
represent their workers on the specific problems. In this way all person are provides their
suggestion and opinion in order to forming the organisation.
Attitude survey: It is defines as a beneficial and useful tools and techniques for the enterprise in
order to identify their members needs and requirement towards basic needs (Williams and
Horodnic, 2015). In this way all workers are give their opinion towards job evaluation process.
Quality circle: It is another essential approach is follow by the British Airways in order to make
better decision, so in this accurate judgement help company to achieve higher goals and
objectives in an essential manner. In this all issues from the upper methods to down with
improving the team.
4.3 Assessing effect of human resource management on worker relations
Human resource management play important role in recruiting and selecting the talented
as well as knowledgeable candidate's who have experience in this field. They mainly work in
order to achieving success and welfare of the organisation in employee relation. They have
negative as well as positive influence of employees relation in order to attain growth and
development of the British Airways. They are main assets of the business organisation because
within they an enterprise can not increase their sales and revenues in an effective manner. They
have many responsibilities such as hiring, recruiting, selecting, providing training &
development section, motivation and promotion on their work process. These are all very
essential for the employees in order to maximise their basic knowledge and skill on particular
meter (Winkelmann-Gleed, 2011). In simple words, improving better employee relation and their
productivity which is much focuses of business is on communitarian, involvement, quality and
flexibility etc. There are several negative as well as positive effects on decision making process
which are described under this:
Positive effect:
 It is define as the role and responsibilities of the human resource management in order to
conduct the development & training section. So in this way they easily maximising
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working performance and ability of employees. With the support of this employee
relation will be increased in a systematic way.
 To develop positive and good effect which is essential for administrator is to evaluate the
workers performances (Demirbas and Yukhanaev, 2011). It is known as motivation and
promotion way.
 To decrease the workplace accidents, British Airways manager should give the healthy
working environment to their employees. Main purpose of this is to reduce all work-
related issues. To generate positive effect which is essential for company administrator in order to
attract large number of the workers in process of decision-making. From the same, this
department also very useful for the staff members because they motivated to their
employees.
Negative effect: Human resource management also have negative effect in employees relations,
there are several points which are determine under this:
 If the company manger never treat their workers in a better manner. In this they not listen
their issues for manger to carefully (Bach and Kessler, 2011). It will effect the bad
relation with workers.
 Manger can not provide better training and development to their employees which is not
good for them. Because with the use of they easily increase their basic knowledge and
skill. In this way all person are feel demotivated and do not work accurately. They will
also reduce the business productivity that will be decreased.
CONCLUSION
As per the above mentioned report, it can be concluded that employee relation is very
essential part of the enterprise. Better relation can increase the business productivity and
profitability level at the large level. Company use different approaches such as Unitary and
Pluralistic Perspectives which is important for the business growth and development. There are
many key players such as employees, employer and government etc. they play important role in
maintaining better relation with their manager. In the organisation, there are many problems such
as workplace conflict and misunderstanding which is faced by the workers at workstation. So in
this way organisation adopt effective process in order to reduce all problems. Role of negotiation
11

which is also very important part of maintaining employee relation. There are different methods
which is essential in workers participation and involvement. Human resource management have
positive and negative effects on workers relation.
12

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performance: Investigating the effects of HR practices across employee groups within
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Van Buren III, H. J. and Greenwood, M., 2011. Bringing stakeholder theory to industrial
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Williams, C. C. and Horodnic, I. A., 2015. Rethinking the marginalisation thesis: an evaluation
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