Introduction

The aim of this class is to provide a critical understanding of current developments in employee relations in the UK. It aims to provide a conceptual and theoretical understanding of the dynamics and the contours of the employment relationship. Particular attention will be focused on exploring the resilience of the traditional institutions and modes of employment regulation, as well as exploring current attempts to recast the dynamics of employee relations. Throughout the class, our concern will be to explore the extent to which the existing forms of collective employment regulation remain intact, or are being superseded by a greater emphasis on the individual within the employment relationship. This will be achieved by exploring key issues such as changes in workplace regulation, representation, and management strategies, as well as considering current trends within employee relations.

Objectives:

To analyse the common and different interests of the ‘actors’ within the employment relationship. To explore the changing dynamics of workplace regulation.
 To recognize and evaluate important trends in the employment relationship in the UK, displaying awareness for the contextual environment within which it operates.
 To critically evaluate theoretical perspectives on the employment relationship.
 To provide an opportunity for course members to focus on particular aspects of Employment Relations relevant to their backgrounds, interests, and career aspirations.

 Learning Outcomes

At the end of this class you will be able to:
 develop a theoretical understanding of Employment Relations and an ability to draw on current research in the area
 acquire an understanding of changes in the contours of employment relations, coupled with an awareness of competing interpretations of attempts to recast the employment relationship
 display an ability to conduct research in issues specific to employment relations which contributes to the production of high-quality assignments
 provide advice on the appropriate employee relations processes to be used in particular circumstances, for example on union recognition/de-recognition, on appropriate forms of employee participation, etc.

Teaching and Learning Methods

A flexible and interactive approach to teaching and learning will be employed. The teaching methods adopted will comprise a mixture of lecture inputs, group discussions, and case studies. Our concern is to secure your active involvement in the subject; as such, your participation within and preparation for the sessions will be essential. Indeed, the lecture programme particularly is designed to facilitate your understanding of the subject and the competing academic debates. You will be expected to read academic articles as well as textbooks to ensure you are familiar with the debates and key issues. Thus, it is essential that you engage in prior preparation and reading before each session. Following the introductory session, the lecture program is divided into two parts. Part One is concerned with exploring the actors within the employment relationship and the dynamics of workplace regulation. Part Two is concerned with exploring some of the contemporary developments within the subject and highlights the continued pertinence of Employee Relations as a discrete area of study.