Labour Relations:
Managing in a Unionised Environment

Why should an organisation pay attention to developing good Labour/ Employee Relations?  Events in the most well-run of organisations can leave employees experiencing feelings of unfairness, alienation, demotivation and frustration.  However, with positive employee relations, an organisation can ensure that by addressing the employee’s or group’s complaint quickly and fairly and at the lowest level possible within the organisation, a positive outcome is assured and issues are not escalated.

This Anderson online training course looks at the role of managers and employee representatives, and how they can nurture trust-based relationships within the organisation and generate a positive work culture which improves the overall productivity and output of a business, as well as benefiting the employee’s personal well-being even when conflict arises.

By attending this Anderson online training course, delegates will be able to:

• Understand the Strategic Nature of Employee Relations
• The Role of Unions and other Employee Representatives
• Recognise the importance of Employee Engagement
• Develop Performance Management that works
• Understand mediation, bargaining and collective agreements
• How to investigate and handle grievances, settlements, and arbitration

This Anderson online training course is suitable to a wide range of professionals but will greatly benefit:

• Managers new to a unionised work environment
• Front-line supervisors and team leaders responsible for creating positive working relationships with unionised workers
• HR supervisors and labour relations leaders overseeing skilled trades professionals
• HR specialists responsible for Employee Relations, Negotiating and Mediating

• Why Workplace Relations Matter
• Industrial and Employee Relations – Differences and Similarities
• Features of the Unionised Workplace – What Role Do Unions Play?
• Building Culture in a Unionised Environment
• Defining Acceptable Norms and Mores
• Collective Agreements and Terminology

• Interests – Motivation, Engagement, Trust
• Rights – Establishing Boundaries, Rights and Obligations
• Power – Discipline, Accountability and Boundary Enforcement
• Bargained Rights vs. Residual Rights
• Making and Enforcing Rules
• Organisational Policies and Procedures

• Creating a Performance Based Culture
• Setting Expectations and Performance Standards
• Responsibilities of the Union and Management 
• Discipline, Grievances and Investigations
• Coaching and Assistance to Improve Performance
• Managing Absenteeism

• Nature of Conflict
• Types of Industrial Action
• Mediation and Conciliation
• Negotiating
• Management Responses
• Rights to Dismiss and Discipline

• Importance of the Employee Voice
• Joint Consultative Committees
• Employee Representatives
• Forums and Quality Circles
• Partnerships
• Role of Legislation

• An Anderson e-Certificate will be provided to delegates who attend and complete the online training course
• The HRCI Approved Provider Seal and the corresponding Recertification Credit Hours Awarded will be reflected on the e-Certificate of Completion