Module Catalogue 2024/25

Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

This module will provide students with a comprehensive understanding of employment relations perspectives and debates, both national and global, from a theoretical and behavioural competency perspective. It will enable students to understand, analyse and evaluate competing theories and perspectives associated with managing employment relations strategies and their outcomes on organisational climate, employees and management.

Students are provided with opportunities to critically apply the activities, knowledge and behavioural competencies required for managing employment relations practices in union and non-union, small and large, private, public and indigenous and multinational organisations in a host of different national settings. Students will also be able to assess the impact of contextual changes on employment relations practices and organisational performance from a managerial perspective, and gain insights into the creation and implementation of effective employment relations procedures and policies. Students are required to reflect critically on theory and practice from an ethical and professional standpoint, and given opportunities for applied learning and continuous professional development.

Outline Of Syllabus

1 Introduction to the study of comparative employment relations
2 Theories and perspectives of employment relations
3 European models of employee involvement, participation and engagement
4 Communication, consultation and negotiation
5 Employment relations in international companies
6 Strategic global employment relations
7 Global Labour Standards
8 Global Labour market participation and regulation

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

On successful completion of this module, students should be able to:
1.       Demonstrate a systematic understanding of different theories and perspectives on employment relations.
2.       Demonstrate a critical awareness of the impact of local, national and global contexts shaping employment relations climates.
3.       Justify the roles and functions of the different parties to control and manage the employment relationship.
4.       Appraise the importance of organisational-level employment relations processes that support organisational performance, including the design and implementation of policies and practices in the areas of: employee engagement; diversity management; employee communication, involvement and participation negotiation and bargaining; conflict resolution; and change management and management control.
5.       Appraise the importance of employment relations procedures that help mitigate organisational risk, including the design and implementation of policies and practices in the areas of discipline, grievance, dismissal and redundancy.
6.       Appreciate the integration of employment relations processes and how they impact on policy, practice and organisational outcomes such as performance and employee engagement.
7.       Understand the role of international labour standards as part of wider systems of global regulation and how they impact on organisations
8.       Evaluate levels of employee engagement within organisations, functions and business units, and recommend or implement programmes designed to achieve remedial changes or embed levels of engagement already accomplished.

Intended Skill Outcomes

On completion of this module, students will be able to:
1.       Propose strategic directions for an organisation's employee relations policy and practice.
2.       Develop advice on the appropriateness of adopting different forms of employee involvement/participation, including ethical concerns, and how to implement them.
3.       Participate as a key team member in the consultation and communication process.
4.       Facilitate the resolution of differences with management colleagues within and between the management functions, as well as employees individually and/or collectively.
5.       Develop appropriate advice on the basic rights and obligations of employers and employees arising from the contract of employment and associated legislation.
6.       Advise on contemporary developments in employee relations and their potential impact on the organisation's policies and practices.
7.       Develop justified, cost-effective and strategically defensible action plans for promoting employee engagement.

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

The module encourages students to critically analyse the theory and practice of employee relations, with particular emphasis on the skills both managers and HR practitioners are required to demonstrate in effecting change in organisations. Teaching focuses on the key elements of the CIPD syllabus with an emphasis on both international and comparative aspects of employee relations and teaching is highly inter-active with emphasis placed on relevant case study material.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The group assignment gives students the opportunity to work as part of a group in tackling a current employee relations issue in depth. The coursework essay enables the theory and perspectives elements of the syllabus to be assessed individually.

General Notes

N/A