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The module develops your understanding and critical insight into the employment relationship and issues relating to the balance of power between different interest groups, as affected by changes both in the external context and the organisation of work. This enables you to develop knowledge and skills to evaluate management approaches to labour relations, recommend appropriate polices & practices, and make a contribution to the determination of organisational strategy in this area.

The module establishes a theoretical and practical framework for the critical analysis of labour relations, the political significance of issues and the impact of changing context on national trends and organisational practice. The development of new approaches to labour relations, in both private and public sectors and the influence of government on these, is of particular relevance. You will be involved in examining and analysing trends in labour relations practice and examining the role of management in the workplace, focussing on the contribution that effective management of labour relations makes to the achievement of key business objectives and organisational change. Consideration is also given to variations in national practice and the influence exerted on these by multinational companies. Key skills and competences are identified in developing policies and procedures, handling conflict (discipline & grievance, collective disputes), negotiation. The module explores the implications of developments in employment legislation and assumes some prior knowledge of UK Employment Law.

Upon completion of this module you will be able to
LO1: Analyse different perspectives on the employment relationship and critically evaluate theories of conflict and how to manage it.
LO2: Assess the contribution which effective management of labour relations makes to the achievement of key business objectives, enabling the development of key managerial skills.
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