Employee Relations Essentials

In any organisation, one of the most critical factors that contribute to its success is a positive and harmonious relationship between the employees and management. This aspect of organisational dynamics is commonly referred to as “employee relations.” Employee relations encompass all the interactions, communication, and connections between the employees themselves, as well as their interactions with the management.

Workplace conflict remains a fact of organisational life and HR functions across the country are consumed with handling employee issues that could have been dealt with at management level, or often avoided completely with more effective management. Organisations need to adopt a more positive and proactive approach when it comes to managing employee relations and dealing with workplace conflict, to ensure managers are confident resolving any disagreements at an early stage as part of a problem-solving approach.

Workplace conflict can have significant costs, both tangible and intangible, that can impact individuals, teams, and organisations as a whole. Acas have estimated the cost of workplace conflict to UK organisations is in the region of £28.5 billion per year in the UK. This includes a loss of approximately £589 million due to decreased productivity and absenteeism related to health concerns such as stress, anxiety, and depression.

Effective employee relations are vital for several reasons, and organisations that prioritise managing them in the workplace tend to thrive and achieve higher levels of productivity. Essential aspects to consider include clear communication, established policies, promoting fairness and respect, training and development, conflict resolution, recognition, work-life balance, leading by example, and monitoring employee engagement.

Prioritising these essentials, will help organisations create a supportive and inclusive workplace where employees feel valued, motivated, and committed to the organisation’s success, whilst helping to decrease the chances of employee issues in the workplace.

At Think People Consulting, our consultants have a vast experience helping organisations resolve workplace conflict and manage employment relations issues more effectively. On 21st September 2023, our Senior Consultant, Rolanda Markey, will be leading our Academy event on “Employee Relations Essentials” where she will share her expertise in assisting Line Managers, Business Owners, and HR employees to gain confidence in handling issues with employees in line with legislation, policy, and good practice, creating better experiences for employees and lessening the burden of matters escalating through increasingly time consuming and expensive processes. Find out more and book your space on this workshop here.