There are no pre-requisites for this module to be added

The module establishes a theoretical framework for the critical analysis of the employment relationship. Whilst critically assessing the ways in which the rules that govern work and employment relationships are made and remade, the module also examines workers’ experiences of and responses to such relationships. Viewing workers as an active agent within the employment relationship the module considers both individual and collective challenges to workplace arrangements and a range of management responses. In doing so the module moves beyond explicitly managerialist understandings of the employment relationship in order to deepen understanding of the broader environment in which labour relations is practiced. The module adopts a thematic approach to labour relations and begins by considering the nature of the employment relationship and labour relations as a field of study. The module then covers a range of contemporary labour relations issues such as casualization, the platform economy and migrant labour. In the next part of the module conceptual frameworks for better understanding these contemporary issues are presented. Considering the roles of unions, management and the State in shaping such outcomes, the module assesses the causes, consequences and means of remedying critical workplace and societal labour relations problems. Given the explicit focus on the employment relationship being a contested one the module finishes by examining conflict and ways of resolving it. Key skills and competences are identified in developing policies and procedures and handling conflict (employee voice, negotiation).

Upon completion of this module you will be able to

LO1: Critically examine the nature of the employment relationship and approaches to managing it

LO2: Evaluate the dimensions, impact and causes of contemporary labour relations problems.

LO3: Analyse the dynamics of the employment relationship (roles of parties, structures and processes) and the ways in which these are influenced by national and international context.

LO4: Evaluate alternative approaches to labour management and make recommendations appropriate to the needs of differing organisations.