Introduction To Industrial Relations

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Industrial relations has become one of the most delicate and complex problems of modern industrial society. Industrial progress is impossible without cooperation of labors and harmonious relationships. Therefore, it is in the interest of all to create and maintain good relations between employees (labor) and employers (management). Concept of Industrial Relations: The term Industrial Relations comprises of two terms: Industry and Relations. Industry refers to any productive activity in which an individual (or a group of individuals) is (are) engaged. By relations we mean the relationships that exist within the industry between the employer and his workmen. The term industrial relations explains the relationship between employees and management which stem directly or indirectly from union-employer relationship. Industrial relations are the relationships between employees and employers within the organizational settings. The field of industrial relations looks at the relationship between management and workers, particularly groups of workers represented by a union. Industrial relations are basically the interactions between employers, employees and the government, and the institutions and associations through which such interactions are mediated. The term industrial relations has a broad as well as a narrow outlook. Originally, industrial relations was broadly defined to include the relationships and interactions between employers and employees. From this perspective, industrial relations covers all aspects of the employment relationship, including human resource management, employee relations, and union-management (or labor) relations. Now its meaning has become more specific and restricted. Accordingly, industrial relations pertains to the study and practice of collective bargaining, trade unionism, and labor-management relations, while human resource management is a separate, largely distinct field that deals with nonunion employment relationships and the personnel practices and policies of employers. The relationships which arise at and out of the workplace generally include the relationships between individual workers, the relationships between workers and their employer, the relationships between employers, the relationships employers and workers have with the organizations formed to promote their respective interests, and the relations between those organizations, at all levels. industrial relations also includes the processes through which these relationships are expressed (such as, collective bargaining, workers participation in decision-making, and grievance and dispute settlement), and the management of conflict between employers, workers and trade unions, when it arises.

Concept, Scope and Objectives of Industrial Relations

Rahul's Noteblog Objectives of Industrial Relations Notes on Industrial Relations Concept, Scope and

What are Industrial Relations?

The concept of Industrial relations has been defined using various terminologies, but in the strictest sense, it is essentially the relationship between management and labor. The full concept of industrial relations is the organization and practice of multi-pronged relationships between labor and management, unions and labor, unions and management in an industry. Dale Yoder defines it as a "whole field of relationships that exists because of the necessary collaboration of men and women in the employment process of an industry."

Role of Industrial Relations:

Industrial relations are associated with labor, management, labor unions, and the state. The scene of industrial relations has grown tremendously, and cannot be represented merely by relations between management and labor. It has become a comprehensive and total concept embracing the sum total of relationship that exists at various levels of the organizational structure. Additionally, it connotes relationships between workers themselves within the labor class, and relations among the management within the managerial class. In an open sense, industrial relations denote all types of relations within a group and outside a group - both formal and informal relations.

Objectives of Industrial Relations:

1. Protect management and labor interests by securing mutual relations between the two groups. 2. Avoid disputes between management and labor, and create a harmonizing relationship between the groups so productivity can be increased. 3. Ensure full employment and reduce absenteeism, hence, increasing productivity and profits. 4. Emphasize labor employer partnership to establish and maintain industrial democracy. This is done to ensure the sharing of profit gains, and personal developmental of all all employees. 5. Provide better wages and living conditions to labor, so misunderstandings between management and labor are reduced to a minimum. 6. To bring about government control over plants where losses are running high, or where products are produced in the public interest. 7. To bridge a gap between various public factions and reshape the complex social relationships emerging out of technological advances by controlling and disciplining members, and adjusting their conflicts of interests.

What Role Does Management Play in Industrial Relations?

By Quentin Coleman, eHow Contributor

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Industry management is one of two key players in the realm of industrial relations. Industrial relations describes the relationship between management (often top-level management) and employee organizations (like unions). Related Searches:
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HR Information HR Processes

1. Top-level management
Top-level management must communicate and negotiate with employee organizations to avoid strikes, law-suits and protests. This level of management interacts with employee organizations on a large-scale, as opposed to lower tiers of management which mostly rely on human resources to conduct employee interactions.

Low-level management
Low-level (or local) management interacts with employees on an individual basis (often through a human resources department). All levels of management are involved in industrial relations, but low-level management has little or no say in big-picture decisions (employee compensation and benefit alterations).

Managements purpose in industrial relations

In an industrial relations negotiation, management represents the interest of the company (and shareholders if applicable). Management must work with employees to develop compensation packages and policies that are acceptable for both parties.

Problems for management in industrial relations

When the relationship between management and employees sour, management may be forced to develop a crisis-management plan. If an employee organization initiates a largescale strike or protest, management must act quickly (either give-in to employee demands or find an alternate solution) to avoid crippling profit losses.

History of management's involvement in industrial relations

Historically, management is depicted as a foe of employees and their organizations. While this stereotype is not entirely true, the media often portrays management as the "bad guy" of the two organizations (unions are usually cast as the hero of the "little guy"). This negative media attention (and historical stereotype) can lead to extremely damaging public relations, which can eventually cripple an entire industry.

Read more: What Role Does Management Play in Industrial Relations? | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/facts_6088130_role-management-play-industrial-

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