Effective Employer / Employee Relations Effective Employer / Employee Relations

Business communication Methods of employee representations Resolving industrial disputes* Next lesson

Business communication

Internal & External Communication Between people in the same business Internal With people outside the business External

Examples of internal communication Formal meetings and briefings Intranets Wikis, blogs, podcasts, internal social media tools Informal meetings between employees & senior management Conference calls & webinars Internal newsletters, brochures, and other printed materials Team briefing sessions Message boards Training packs (e.g. induction materials)

External communication Press releases Marketing materials (e.g. adverts, brochures, direct mailings) Published financial information (e.g. accounts) Letters, s and telephone conversations with customers and suppliers Reports to government and other agencies Press releases Marketing materials (e.g. adverts, brochures, direct mailings) Published financial information (e.g. accounts) Letters, s and telephone conversations with customers and suppliers Reports to government and other agencies Closely linked with the idea of “stakeholders” – i.e. those who have an interest in the activities and results of the business

Video clip Apprenticeship or Dragon’s Den??? What examples of (internal & external?) communication are they using effectively? What problems did they have with communication?

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Barriers to effective communication Barrier Explanation Language The communication message might not use vocabulary that is understood by the receiver – e.g. too much use of technical or financial jargon Noise Various things stop a message from getting through or being heard – e.g. poor connection, distractions, too many people speaking Overload Too much information can cause problems e.g. slow down decision making Emotion The relationship between the sender and receiver of communication might adversely affect the message – which could be ignored or misinterpreted Gaps Too many intermediaries (e.g. too many layers in hierarchy through which message has to be passed) might prevent or distort the message Inconsistency If people receive conflicting or inconsistent messages, then they may ignore or block them

Methods of employee representations Methods of employee representations

Employee groups These are forums made up of staff, management & HR personnel. They meet to discuss issues that affect employees.

Trade Unions These are national groups that negotiate on behalf of a group of employees in the workplace.

Examples of trade unions Association of Flight Attendants (AFA) Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL) Bakers, Food and Allied Workers Union (BFAWU) Communication Workers Union (CWU) Fire Brigades Union (FBU) National Union of Journalists (NUJ) Prison Officers Association (POA) Professional Footballers Association (PFA) Transport and General Workers' Union (T&G)

Works Council A committee representing the employer and elected employee representatives who gather to discuss working conditions, grievances and pay. A works council has to be introduced by law, if a company employs 50+ staff and are located in two or more EU countries. The minimum requirement: An election of representative must place One representative must be elected for every 50 employees. Minimum of 3 and max 30.

Company structure Employment trends Mergers, downsizing, closures Economic and financial situation and trends New working methods Organisational changes Investment plans €€ Transfer of production Collective redundancies € Changes in activities, production and sales Issues to be covered under a works council…

Resolving Industrial Disputes

What is an industrial dispute? When employers and employees (or their representatives) fail to reach an agreement. Issues could be over Workforce plans Organisational structure (restructure) Redundancy Changes in working conditions

How to avoid industrial dispute…. Keeping channels of communication open Working group involvement Regular consultation with TU Effective grievance procedure ACAS – to offer advice No strike agreement