7HR01 Strategic Employment Relations

7HR01 Strategic Employment Relations examines various viewpoints on employment relations, exploring the dynamics of cooperation and conflict that differ across workplaces. It highlights the significant influence of external institutions on shaping people management policies and practices within organisations. Given the diversity of emerging models, outcomes become less predictable, necessitating careful management of relationships.

What will you learn?

You will critically evaluate various perspectives on employment relations, focusing on the differing levels of cooperation and conflict across workplaces. This includes examining employer strategies towards trade unions and assessing their effectiveness. You will analyse the rise of low-quality jobs and the decline of high-quality roles in different sectors of the economy, as well as explore ways to enhance employee voice to improve organisational performance and employee outcomes. Additionally, you will scrutinise the role of collective bargaining in determining pay and review the pros and cons of arbitration, conciliation, and mediation in resolving workplace disputes. Lastly, you will study the design and implementation of grievance and disciplinary procedures to mitigate risks and resolve issues effectively.

Learning outcomes

Upon completing this module, learners will be able to:

• Comprehend various perspectives on employment relations and their impact on the roles of people professionals and line managers.
• Recognize the influence of external institutions on employment relations at the organizational level.
• Understand how people professionals can collaborate with employees and trade unions to foster mutuality and amplify employee voice.
• Understand how professionals can partner with employees and trade unions to mitigate organizational risks.

This module is suitable for persons who:

This unit is designed for individuals who:

• Are experienced people practitioners.
• Are working in senior people practice roles and aim to broaden and deepen their skills and understanding to influence strategy, policy, and people management.
• Wish to shape people practices, creating value for a broader audience.
• Are currently leading and managing people and practices within organizations.