Employee Relations: A Critical Review of Major Theoretical Approaches and Stakeholders' Roles

LO1: Demonstrate knowledge and a critical understanding of the major theoretical approaches underpinning the employment relationship, enabling its management within a meso, micro and macro-level context.

LO2: Critically analyse and evaluate the roles and responsibilities of major stakeholders (e.g., Governments, employers, trade unions) in influencing the employment relationship.

For this assignment, you need to select an organisation of your choice. This can be the organisation you are currently working for; an organisation you have previously worked for or another organisation of your choice. Please be aware that research is required for this assignment so you must use an actual organization for which you can find relevant information.

You are working as a junior HR manager in your selected organisation. As part of the responsibilities, you have been asked to demonstrate an ability to review the extent to which employee relations can influence the behaviour of different stakeholders. Your Director of Human Resources for your selected organisation has asked you to produce a report in response to the following brief:

1. In the first part of your report, you must explain the value and importance of employee relations in application to specific organizational examples as well as explain the fundamentals of employment law that apply to specific organisational examples. You must also be able to make valid suggestions on how an organisation could improve and respond effectively to employee relations.
2. The second part of your report should explain the different types of rights, duties and obligations an employer and employee have within the workplace. You must also be able to determine appropriate advice relating to rights, duties and obligations of the employment relationship for a range of given organisational examples. The owner also wants you to provide an evaluation of the psychological contract and support for employee work life balance in relation to rights, duties and obligations of the employment relationship. Finally, you must explore various mechanisms for managing the employment relationship and make justified solutions for a range of specific organisational examples.
3. In the third part of your report, you must conduct and complete a stakeholder analysis for a given organisation and go on to analyse how stakeholder engagement and contribution can support positive employment relationships within an organisation.
4. The final part of the report must analyse the impact of both positive and negative employee relations on different stakeholders. You are also required to evaluate how positive and negative employee relationships can affect conflict avoidance and resolution. You report must also include a detailed examination of different stakeholder perspectives and interests in the broader business environment to support positive employment relationships.

Secondary Research Source Requirement at Level HE6 - It is expected that the Reference List will contain between fifteen to twenty sources. As a MINIMUM the Reference List should include three refereed academic journals and five academic books.

Assessment Preparation and Submission:

See section 12 of the module guide for Guidelines on the Preparation and Submission of Assignments.

You are required to submit a soft copy via “Turn-it-in UK” on the module Moodle page. The software will allow you to check your work against other material on the internet. It will also compare your work against other students work.

You will be able to upload drafts of your written work into turn-it-in as many times as you wish before the deadline.

You will not be able to overwrite the final submission after the deadline. You can only submit a single file.

Specific Assessment Criteria: (see page 3 for General Assessment Criteria)

Excellent (70%+): The report will be to a high standard and will reflect the effective application of extensive reading. It will address the specific issues outlined in the assignment brief. It will be structured in an extremely clear and logical manner. Findings will be excellently explained and enthusiastically communicated to audience to enable their full understanding. Referencing and research will be outstanding and used effectively throughout to support arguments.

Very Good (60 – 69%): The report will be to a very good standard and will reflect the effective application of wide reading. It will provide very good analysis of the specific issues outlined in the assignment brief. The report will cover the salient points. The presentation will be very clear and informative. The report will be very well written and presented in a structured and readable style. Referencing and research will be of a very good standard.

Good (50 – 59%): The report will cover some salient points. The presentation will be clear and informative. The report will be well written and presented in a structured and readable style. Referencing and research will be of a good standard.

Satisfactory (40-49%): A reasonable attempt will be made to prepare and deliver the report but will be under-developed and will not reflect effective teamwork. Referencing and research will be of a satisfactory standard.

Unsatisfactory (Below 40%): Students who do not meet the requirements of a pass grade (40% or above) will not successfully complete the assessment activity.