s
MODULE SPECIFICATION TEMPLATE
MODULE DETAILS
Module title
Understanding Employee Relations
Module code
HR325
Level
Level 6
Credit rating
20
Pre-requisites for
registration on this module
None.
eventually it is anticipated that these
will be specified in terms of learning
outcomes; in the interim they should
be specified in terms of other
module codes, or equivalent
Type of module
Year through / workshop based.
Period of time over which it is
delivered and mode of delivery
Brief description of
module content and/ or
aims
Overview (max 80 words)
The module will aim to:
 Develop an understanding of the systems of Employee
Relations in the United Kingdom and in other countries
together with the impact of transnational influences.
 Develop an appreciation of the practice of Employer
Relations, with a clear focus upon that experienced in the
United Kingdom.
Module team/ author/
coordinator(s)
Bob Smale
Semester 1 or 2
Year through
Site/ campus where
delivered
Moulsecoomb
Field(s) for which module is appropriate and status in that field
Field
Status (mandatory/ compulsory/ optional)
Course(s) for which module is appropriate and status on that course
Course
Status (mandatory/ compulsory/ optional)
BSc (Hons) Business Management.
Optional
Template updated: June 2011
BSc (Hons) Business with Marketing.
Optional
BSc (Hons) Business with Human Resource
Management.
Option.
BSc (Hons) International Business with
Language
BSc (Hons) Marketing Management
Option.
LLB (Hons) Law with Business
Option.
BSc (Hons) Accounting and Finance
Option.
BSc (Hons) Finance and Investment
Option.
MODULE AIMS, ASSESSMENT AND SUPPORT
Aims
The module is designed to:
o Provide a general introduction to the development of Employee
Relations in the United Kingdom and to compare and contrast
the Employee Relations systems operating in United Kingdom
with a range of other countries together with the impact of
transnational influences.
o Develop knowledge and understanding the practical and
procedural aspects of Employee Relations, including: union
recognition, grievance and discipline, employment tribunals,
collective bargaining, conflict resolution and consultation.
o Explore the nature and expression of conflict in the employment
relationship together with methods used for conflict resolution
and for the accommodation of employee interests and the
generation of employee commitment.
Learning outcomes/
objectives
On completion of this module the students should be able to
demonstrate an appreciation of:










Template updated: June 2011
Theoretical approaches to the understanding of Employee
Relations including the unitary and pluralistic approaches.
The application of theoretical approaches to the Employee
Relations systems operating in the United Kingdom and
another country.
The perspectives and objectives of the various parties to the
employment relationship.
The development of Employee Relations in United Kingdom.
The experience of Employee Relations in another country
including the impact of transnational influences upon local
systems.
The recognition decision, de-recognition and the role of trade
union avoidance and containment strategies.
Methods of accommodating employee interests including
participation and involvement techniques and employee voice.
The nature and importance of Employee Relations procedures
and in particular the handling of employee grievances and
disciplinary cases, together with the process of application to,
and the conduct of employment tribunals.
The requirements for successful preparation for, and conduct
of, collective bargaining.
The significance of conflict in Employee Relations together
with methods of conflict resolution with particular reference to
arbitration, conciliation and mediation.
Cognitive - on completion of the module the student should be able to:





Content
Demonstrate critical thinking and analysis.
Identify assumptions and evaluate statements.
Identify implicit values.
Define terms correctly.
Generalise appropriately.
Semester 1 – The Development of Employee Relations:









Introduction to Employee Relations.
Theoretical approaches to the study of Employee Relations.
The study of Comparative Employee Relations and the impact
of transnational influences upon national systems.
The development of Employee Relations in the United
Kingdom.
Institutions in Employee Relations.
The development of trade unions in the United Kingdom.
Accommodating employee interests: participation, involvement
and employee voice.
Student country presentations.
Support session for assignment completion.
Semester 2 – The Practice of Employee Relations:










Trade union recognition, the recognition decision, derecognition, trade union avoidance and containment
strategies.
Dealing with grievances.
Dealing with discipline.
Employment Tribunals.
Collective bargaining policies, procedure & practice
Preparing for collective bargaining.
Collective bargaining role play.
Collective bargaining outcomes, the role of conflict in
Employee Relations and dispute resolution.
Current and future trends in Employee Relations.
Support session for assignment completion.
Teaching and learning
strategy
The module will be delivered through a series of workshops.
Allocation of study hours to activities
(including pre-module activities,
contact time, private study time and
assessment)
Semester 1:
Weekly workshops will initially be tutor led and will focus upon the
main themes of the module. A programme of student led ‘Country
Presentation’ workshops will be negotiated with students during the
first half of the semester for delivery in the later stages, with students
being required to prepare and deliver group presentations for
assessment on particular countries of their choice.
Semester 2:
Template updated: June 2011
Weekly workshops will mostly be tutor led, but students will also work
on a case study which will be both the subject of a role play
negotiation activity and also of their second course work assignment.
The case study will focus upon a dispute and students will be
encouraged to prepare a case which shows a full appreciation of both
sides of the argument together with methods of conflict resolution and
alternative strategies which the parties might be adopt in the future in
order to create better Employee Relations.
Lectures:
Seminars:
Workshops:
0
0
40
Open Learning:
Self Study:
Assessment:
0
160
00
Total:
Learning support
Including indicative reading,
computer packages, field trips etc.
200 hours
Workshop programme
This will comprise twenty two-hour workshop sessions, as follows:
Tutor led workshops
14
Student country presentation seminars 3
Collective bargaining role play
1
Assignment support sessions
2
Indicative Reading (the latest editions of):
Bamber, G. Lansbury, R. & Wailes, N. International and Comparative
Employment Relations. London: Sage.
Blyton, P. & Turnbull, P. The Dynamics of Employee Relations,
Basingstoke: Palgrave.
Burchill, F. Labour Relations, Basingstoke; Palgrave.
Dundon, T. & Rollinson, D. Understanding Employee Relations.
Maidenhead: McGraw-Hill.
Gennard, J. & Judge, G. Managing Employee Relations, London:
CIPD
Katz, H. C. & Darbishire, O. Converging Divergences: Worldwide
Changes in Employment Systems, ILR (Cornell University) Press.
Morley, M. J. P. Gunnigle, P. & Collings, D.G. Global Industrial
Relations, Abingdon: Routledge,
Pilbeam, S. & Corbridge, M. People Resourcing & Talent Planning.
Harlow: Pearson.
Rose E, Employment Relations, Harlow: Pearson.
Williams, S. & Adam-Smith, D. Contemporary Employee Relations: A
Critical Introduction. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Assessment tasks
Including weighting of individual
tasks
Semester 1 (50%):


Presentation –group presentation (up to four students) on
chosen country (15-20 minutes /15%).
Comparative Report - individual report comparing United
Kingdom with chosen country (2,500 words / 35%).
Semester 2 (50%):


Template updated: June 2011
Briefing Paper - reflecting group preparation for collective
bargaining meeting (500 words / 15%)
Research Report - reviewing the case study company’s
Employee Relations procedures and practices (2,500 words /
35%)
EXAMINATION INFORMATION
Area examination board
External examiners
Name
Date appointed
Beryl Badger
QUALITY ASSURANCE
Date of first approval
Only complete where this is not the
first version
Date of last revision
Only complete where this is not the
first version
Date of approval for this
version
Version number
1
Modules replaced
HR313 & HR314.
Specify codes of modules for which
this is a replacement
Template updated: June 2011