Analyzing Employee Relations at Virgin Atlantic: A Detailed Report

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of employee relations within Virgin Atlantic, a UK-based aviation company. It examines the application of unitary and pluralistic frameworks in understanding employee relations, the impact of changes in trade unionism on employee dynamics, and the roles of various stakeholders. The report delves into conflict resolution processes, the features of employee relations in collective dispute situations, and the effectiveness of different procedures. Furthermore, it explores the role of negotiation in collective bargaining, the influence of negotiation strategies, and the impact of the EU on industrial democracy in the UK. The report also compares methods for gaining employee participation in decision-making processes and assesses the impact of human resource management on employee relations, offering valuable insights into fostering harmonious workplace environments and achieving organizational success.

EMPLOYEE
RELATION

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
1.1 Unitary and pluralistic frames of references.........................................................................1
1.2 How changes in trade unionism have impact on employees relation...................................2
1.3 Role of players in employee relation....................................................................................3
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................4
2.1 Process for dealing with different conflicts situation............................................................4
2.2 Features of employees relation in collective dispute situation..............................................5
2.3 Effectiveness of procedure that is used for dealing with issues............................................6
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................7
3.1 Role of negotiation in collective bargaining.........................................................................7
3.2 Impact of negotiation strategy...............................................................................................8
TASK 4..........................................................................................................................................10
4.1 Influence of EU on industrial democracy in UK................................................................10
4.2 Comparing method to gain employee participation in decision making process................11
4.3 Impact of human resource management on employee relation...........................................12
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................12
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................14

INTRODUCTION
In today’s era, maintaining healthy employee relation is very important for the success of
company which can be defined as a relationship between employer and workers. In order to
attain competitive advantages or other benefits, it is necessary that management should take
effective actions so that harmonious relations can be maintained at the workplace (Kumari,
2012). If there will be no conflicts then employees will be able to perform their job effectively
and efficiently by which organisation can easily reach to its decided targets within stipulated
period of time. For maintaining mutual understanding between job provider and employees,
government has made various rules and regulations that should be followed by every firm so that
it can move on towards the way of success without any disturbance. This project is based on
“Virgin Atlantic” which is operating their business in aviation industry of UK and providing
better quality of services to their clients. Unitary and pluralistic frames of references, the way
changes in trade unionism have affected employee relations and role of main players in
achieving the same will be discussed in this report. It will also define the procedure for dealing
with different conflicts situation as well as role of negotiation in collective bargaining.
TASK 1
1.1 Unitary and pluralistic frames of references
Unitary and pluralistic approaches can be used by Virgin Atlantic for understanding the
significance of employee relation in today’s competitive environment. Regarding this concept,
every individual has different point of views even after it helps in maintaining harmonious
relations at workplace (Miki and et.al., 2015). Mainly, these concepts are adopted by
organisation so that better mutual understanding between employers and employees can be
maintained and business operations can be run in a smooth or accurate manner. These concepts
can be understood by the following below given points-
Unitary perspectives- This framework refers to the way of thinking, perception,
assumption and attitude regarding management as well as organisational membership. According
to this model, managerial person will have the main responsibility to take all important decisions
and if this judgement will have any negative impact on business operations then manager will
only be liable. As per this concept, every individual will be assumed as a group who will have
same interest, values and objectives. This concept gets feedbacks by implementing mission
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statement and for knowing about the success, it compares the gap between expected and
achievement of set objectives. If it is seen from the point of view of employees, then following
given things will be considered-
 Proper skills or knowledge should be there in every member of company so that they will
become able to perform their job as per specified standards (Patrick, 2012).
 In order to identify the solution of problems, brainstorming session should be conducted
so that issues can be resolved easily and effectively.
Pluralistic perspectives- As per this concept, there are large number of people like trade
union, management, sub group, etc. who have different objectives and interest. This model
provides various benefits to company like minimizing conflicts from workplace, clears all
misunderstanding that are existing in between managers and employees, etc. In this, an important
role is played by co-operative negotiation. Mainly, this approach is used in the following case-
 When a leader of all employees is selected and all decisions related to their welfare will
be taken by him.
 In this, trade union takes all decisions related to employees which help in increasing the
motivation level of workers.
In order to satisfy the needs or wants of employees, Virgin Atlantic recruited a group of
experts so that trade union would not be formed at workplace because it is following pluralistic
approach.
1.2 The way changes in trade unionism have their impact on employee’s relation
Generally, trade union is formed in every organisation which has main motive to protect
the rights of manpower and to save them from any dominating activities so that they can perform
their job effectively and efficiently (Rezaie And et.al., 2012). It also ensures that whether every
worker is getting equipment regarding their safety or not. If not then it takes corrective actions
for providing them a safe working environment. Apart from this, Virgin Atlantic plays some
other important roles as well which are described as below-
 In order to improve the working system of Virgin Atlantic, it sets some mechanism that
helps in achieving same.
 If employees have any problem at workplace then this union provides solution to them
by which they become able to perform their job effectively and efficiently.
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In today’s changing environment, government has designed various legislations and also
modified them as per the requirements that affect employee’s relation. Some of the changes are
given as below which affect employee’s relation- Technological- In the present scenario, technology is changing continuously which is
affecting the employment of labour because if all work will be done with the help of
technology then there will be no more requirement of employees (Andersen, Nielsen and
Brinkmann, 2012). In this situation, Virgin Atlantic must review their policies regarding
retrenchment of employees. Trade union should also take corrective actions for giving
safety to them so that they will not be terminated from their job.
 Political and legal- It is one of the most influential elements by which employee
relations get affected. As per this, management of chosen organisation should design
rules and regulations so that conflicts or misunderstanding between employers and
employees can be minimized.
In the represent scenario, trade union is working for protecting the rights of employees as
well as for child labour abolishment. Apart from this, it organises training session so that
personality of employees can be developed and they will contribute in the success of company.
The trade union is having great role in resolving disputes of the employee and employer
of company in workplace. The trade union helps in resolving the issues of the employee and
helps in securing the rights of workforce in working environment of business. The trade union
provide various alternative and negotiate over the issues in response to the employee rights and
benefits.
1.3 Role of players in employee relation
To attain the set targets in an effectual manner, it is necessary that management of Virgin
Atlantic should focus on maintaining better relations in between employer and employees so that
they can perform as per the specified standards. For achieving same, there are numerous parties
who play important roles that are given as below- Role of employer and employees- While recruiting a person, a contract is to be made
which will contain all job related information. Every employee is obliged to become
committed towards their job and do not use any kind of abusive language at workplace so
that everyone can focus on their work (Tladinyane, Coetzee and Masenge, 2013). If
workers will follow all guidelines of company then healthy relations can be maintained
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with smooth flow of operations. Apart from this, employer will also be obliged to provide
safe and secured environment so that workers can feel safe and perform their work as per
the specified standards. Besides this, if employer wants to get success in market then he
should motivate their employees so that they will contribute in the success of company.
This activity will help in maintaining healthy relations at workplace. Trade union- For protecting the rights of employees, trade union is formed which has to
do following tasks-
◦ Collective bargaining- If employees face any problem in their job then they take help
of trade union for interacting with their employers.
◦ Unfair practices- Association has the responsibility to ensure that employer is not
adopting any kind of unfair and unethical activities towards employees.
 Government- It is one of the most important parties which play an important role in
maintaining better relations in between employer and employees (De Spiegelaere, Van
Gyes and Hootegem, 2012). In order to achieve the same, it has made various rules and
regulations for protecting the rights of job provider as well as of workers. In any negative
situation, every disputed party wants to resolve their problems with the help of
government so that conflicts can be sought out in an effective and efficient manner.
TASK 2
2.1 Process for dealing with different conflicts situation
There are several kinds of issues which creates hurdles in business operation and prevents
the company to reach to their decided destination within stipulated period of time. This negative
situation can be handled by Virgin Atlantic company by following different approaches. One of
the most effective technique is communication among disputed parties by which all disputes can
be resolved in an effective and efficient manner. Even after this method, issues are not resolved
then they can take support of third party who will be an independent person.
Disputes may be arise between employer and employees, employees and employees etc.
and to manage these conflicts is not an easy task. For controlling this situation, company should
be capable and efficient so that positive working environment can be maintained (Swarnalatha
and Sureshkrishna, 2012). If there is any negative situation then Virgin Atlantic can follow a
below given procedure-
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 At first stage, it is necessary that management should identify the roots of conflicts so
that strategy can be designed accordingly.
 Thereafter, individual objectives should be integrated with organisation targets so that
proper coordination can be maintained and everyone will give their best.
 After integration, a proper and effective way should be determined so that conflicts can
be resolved effectively and efficiently. It can be possible by proper listening,
communicating etc. In this negative situation, brainstorming method will be one and most
effective technique by which firm will be able to know about the way by which problem
can be resolved.
 After that best way should be determined with mutual understanding so that every
aggrieved parties will get more benefits (Riaz, Akram and Ijaz, 2011).
 And at last, this method should be written down in papers so that every party will follow
it for getting desired result or outcome.
In order to control conflicted situation, Virgin Atlantic company should follow above
mentioned procedure so that business operation can be operated in an effective and efficient
manner because it will enhance the capability of organisation.
2.2 Features of employees relation in collective dispute situation
In order to manage conflict situation, it is very necessary that there should be proper
communication. Organisation should make an open communication environment so that no
employee will hesitate to discuss their problems with employer.
Present negative situation in Virgin Atlantic is that employees are fighting with each
other.
When company will not allocate required resources to all department in an appropriate
manner then it will generate negative situation at workplace which will create hindrance in
business operation by which sales or revenue of the company will be affected. Apart form this,
there are other features of conflict situation which are given below- Dissatisfaction- When workers will not be happy from their job then it will enhance
dissatisfaction level of them then they will not perform effectively and efficiently. For
providing satisfaction to them, it is necessary that management should delegate roles
and responsibilities to them as per their capability so that they will assume themselves
as a part of company (Su and et.al., 2013). In order to minimize negative situation for
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workplace, proper communication channel should be used so that employees can discuss
their views and problems. Unfair treatment- No employer should use discrimination concept among their
employees on the basis of sex, gender, caste etc. because it will be used then it will
increase dissatisfaction level which will generate more disputed among parties. Poor communication- In the lack of proper communication, more disputes are created
at workplace because it will generate more gap between employer and employees
(Slåtten and Mehmetoglu, 2011). No proper relationship between male and female workforce- If there will be any
disputes among employees then relation of male and female worker will be affected. In
this situation, they will not want to work with each other which will create hurdles in the
success of firm.
 Training- It is very important element which should be provided to every employees so
that they will perform their job as per specified standards. If it will not be done then
negative situation for the company can be generated.
2.3 Effectiveness of procedure that is used for dealing with issues
In order to operate their business smoothly and effectively, it is necessary that
management of Virgin Atlantic should deal with negative situation in very careful manner so
that everyone can focus on their job. For removing this conflicts from workplace, support from
dispute handling procedure can be taken which will provide a destination whereby disputed
parties can discuss with each other and can reach to a solution.
If case is more sensitive and uncommon then in this situation, formal procedure will be
helpful. For example- if any dispute is increasing the cost of company then organisation should
adopt this process so that desired result can be obtained effectively and efficiently.
In order to implement the decided way successfully, there should be follow proper
communication channel so that everyone will be cleared about their job responsibility (Mauno,
Ruokolainen and Kinnunen, 2013). Besides from this, there are various other approaches which
can be used by Virgin Atlantic for resolving existing conflicted situation that are described
below-
 Arbitration- It is one of the best approach by which issues can be resolved easily and
effectively. In this, a third person will be hired by disputed parties who will listen to both
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aggrieved individual and accordingly will give his judgement. All process is carried out
in a room where only disputed parties will be present and no one else. That person who
resolves issue, is known as arbitrator.
 Conflict management- B y using this technique, cognitive barriers can be removed easily
and effectively. It mainly focuses on structure, process or both. With the help of this, that
process is adopted by which conflicts can be resolved easily and effectively.
 While carry out discussion with their subordinates, it is necessary that manager should
create open communication environment where everyone can disclose about their
problems without any hesitation (Sánchez-Vidal, Cegarra-Leiva and Cegarra-Navarro,
2012).
 In this conflicting situation, informal procedure can also be adopted by management
because it is also an effective technique. In this, management and colleagues can interact
with each other without getting hesitation which will aid in getting information about
existing real problem.
This process is very helpful in dealing with critical issues and by adopting above
mentioned approaches, company can operate their business in an effective and efficient manner.
TASK 3
3.1 Role of negotiation in collective bargaining
Collective bargaining can be defined as a negotiation process in which trade union
negotiates with job provider on behalf of employees. In this, issues related to salary, working
environment and other terms and conditions of job are discussed. It is done so that negative
situation from the company can be removed easily and effectively.
Negotiation can be defined as a set of activities in which one party tries to convince
another one and find out a specific solution by which negative situation from the workplace can
be minimized. In the following manner, it plays an important role which are described below-
 Increment in quality work- In Virgin Atlantic company, a trade union is formed which
represents issues of employees before employer so that a effective solution of existing
problems can be find out (Thomsen, Sønderstrup-Andersen and Müller, 2011). It is very
helpful in reducing any kind of negative situation from organisation. Issues of workers
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should be resolved quickly so that they can focus on their job and will contribute in the
success of firm.
 Improve effectiveness- In collective bargaining procedure, issues of employees are
address by which employer becomes able to find out solution of specific problem. If
problems of employees will be resolved then workers will be motivated and will perform
their job effectively and efficiently by which organisation will be able to reach to its
decided destination within stipulated period of time.
 Negotiation process- With the help of this procedure, job provider and employees
becomes able to interact with each other in an effective and efficient manner. Under this
procedure, every party discuss about terms and conditions of employment and find out a
best possible outcome which enhance the efficiency and capability of workers (Monsef,
Rastekenari and Majnoon, 2013).
 Management can easily interact with their colleagues with the help of collective
bargaining process. This procedure will be helpful in that situation when organisation is
going to implement new changes.
3.2 Impact of negotiation strategy
In order to get specified target, Virgin Atlantic can take help of negotiation strategy
which is a pre-planned approach. By using this, every critical situation can be sough out easily
and effectively. With the application of this strategy, disputed parties may be impacted in
positive or negative manner that depends on situation. It affects business operation in the
following manner that are described below-
 With the help of this, needs or wants of employees can be satisfied easily as well best
solution of problem can also be find out.
 It is also helpful in controlling the situation by which organisation becomes able to carry
out business operation effectively and smoothly.
 In order to maintain proper coordination among various activities, Virgin Atlantic
company should adopt negotiation strategy so that company can reach to their decided
destination within stipulated period of time.
 By applying this technique, best possible solution can also be find out that helps in
enhancing performance of employees because it creates better working environment.
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There are given some strategies which should be adopted by Virgin Atlantic company for
getting expected result or outcome that are described below- Competing strategies- At present scenario, there are competition at high level which
creates hurdles in business operation. In order to get competitive advantages, chosen
organisation should adopt this tactics so that it can get their desired result or outcome. By
applying this techniques, strengths, strategy of competitors can be known by company
and can change itself accordingly. Accommodative strategies- This strategy will be beneficial in that situation when
performance of company is directly influenced by this problem or is facing any financial
crisis because it avoids many situation of huge turnover and termination (Geuskens And
et.al., 2012). In order to retain employees for long period of time, it provides monetary
compensation to them so that they will help in carrying out business operation effectively
and efficiently. Avoiding strategies- When both aggrieved parties want to avoid negative situation then
they can use this tactic. But it will not be beneficial in that situation when there is long
term conflict management because no one can ignore someone completely.
 Compromise- In this, individuals want that everyone will get equal benefit. It is a mid
way between competition and accommodation strategies.
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