What Is Involved in Industrial Relations?
Industrial relations is the relationship between the management of a company and the employees hired by the management. The term refers both to the actual relations enjoyed by the two parties as well as to the study of this relationship conducted by academics and other professionals. This relationship is multifaceted and involves the conditions of hiring, employment and firing. While relations differ by workplaces, most industrial relations involved a similar set of elements.
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Unions
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Although the term "industrial relations" is used primarily to discuss employment involving labor unions, the term is not necessarily restricted to discussing unionized workplaces. However, unions do play a large part in the field. Labor unions are responsible for advocating for the rights of their members, usually composed of workers within a certain profession. The relationship is defined to a large extent by collective bargaining, meaning workers receive equal treatment.
Hiring/Firing
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Industrial relations also covers when and how employees are hired and fired. The term can be used to describe the relationship enjoyed not just by employees and employers, but by employers and former or prospective employees. For example, the study of industrial relations may look at hiring patterns by employers, as well as situations in which the employer fires people. Retired employees, particularly those who receive pensions, are also a large part of industrial relations.
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Compensation
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One of the largest components of industrial relations is how much compensation employees receive for performing work. The term "compensation" refers not just to the wages a person receives, but the benefits accorded to him as well. Unionized workplace generally have strict rules requiring employers to compensate employees a specific amount under certain conditions. In addition, industrial relations may look at the large labor force, including what certain kinds of workers command in terms of compensation.
Working Conditions
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Industrial relations also covers the working conditions that employees face when they are on the job. For example, a large component of industrial relations is the kind of work that employees are required to perform and the specific skills that the employee must bring to bear to accomplish this work. In addition, industrial relations will also look at employee safety and the hazards that the employee faces, as well as safety precautions taken by employers.
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