Chapter 1
Concepts and Perspectives
Employment Relations
Relationship
- between managers &
employees
- among people at workplace
exists in all organisations
(unionised or un-unionised)
Industrial Relations
• More legalistic
• Subset of employment
relations
• Involves management and
unions
Dunlop’s Model
• Workers & union
• Management &
representatives
• Government &
agencies
• Relationship linked by:
- ideology
- common
- objectives
Tripartism in Singapore
Characteristics
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Strong communication network
Dominance of government
Strong union movement
Symbiotic: government & union
Non-adversarial problem-solving
Developing Good ER
Several phases
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Antagonistic: rejection & blockage
Adversarial: confront & compete
Mutually tolerant: passive, reactive
Cooperative: acceptance & teamwork
Creative: proactive, innovative
Maintain Good ER
Structure
• Law and procedures
• Role of government, union and
management
• Shared values
Singapore’s
National Shared Values
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Nation before community, society above self
Family as the basic unit of society
Community support and respect for individual
Consensus not conflict
Racial and religious harmony
Good ER:
Overcoming obstacles
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Management commitment
Attitude of managers
Importance of supervisor
Union leader
Workers’ attitude
Fostering Good ER
• Labour management
committee
• QC circles
• Shop-floor discussion
• Newsletter
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Grievance handling
Suggestion scheme
Recreation committee
Safety committee
Productivity sharing
Example: Tripartism
2003 SARS outbreak
–Affected many companies
–Tripartite Guidelines: affected
employees given special leave
during house quarantine