Introduction to Industrial Relations

Industrial relation means the relationship between employers and employees in course of employment in industrial organisations. However, the concept of Industrial Relations has a broad and narrow meaning. In a broad sense, the term Industrial Relations includes the relationship between the various unions, between the state and the unions as well as those between the various employers and the government.  In the narrow sense, it refers to all types of relationships between employer and employees, trade union and management, works and union and between workers and workers. It also includes all sorts of relationships at both formal and informal levels in the organization.  Relations of all those associated in an industry may be called Industrial Relations.

  • According to International Labour Organisation, Industrial relations comprise relationships between the state on one hand and the employer’s and employee’s organisation on the other, and the relationship among the occupational organisations themselves.
  • According to J.T. Dunlop, “Industrial relations are the complex interrelations among managers, workers and agencies of the government.”
  • According to Dale Yoder “industrial relations is the process of management dealing with one or more unions with a view to negotiate and subsequently administer collective bargaining agreement or labor contract”.

Introduction to Industrial Relations

Features of Industrial Relations

  • Industrial relations are outcomes of employment relationships in an industrial enterprise. These relations cannot exist without the two parties namely employers and employees.
  • Industrial relations system creates rules and regulations to maintain harmonious relations.
  • The government intervenes to shape the industrial relations through laws, rules, agreements, terms, charters etc.
  • Several parties are involved in the Industrial relations system. The main parties are employers and their associations, employees and their unions and the government. These three parties interact within economic and social environment to shape the Industrial relations structure.
  • Industrial relations are a dynamic and developing concept, not a static one. They undergo changes with changing structure and scenario of the industry as and when change occurs.
  • Industrial relations include both individual relations and collective relationships.

Objectives of Industrial Relations

  • To maintain industrial democracy based on participation of labor in the management and gains of industry.
  • To raise productivity by reducing tendency of high labor turnover and absenteeism.
  • To ensure workers participation in management of the company by giving them a fair say in decision-making and framing policies.
  • To establish a proper channel of communication.
  • To increase the morale and discipline of the employees.
  • To safeguard the interests of the labor as well as management by securing the highest level of mutual understanding and goodwill between all sections in an industry.
  • To avoid all forms of industrial conflicts so as to ensure industrial peace by providing better living and working standards for the workers.
  • To bring about government control over such industrial units which are running at a loss for protecting the livelihood of the employees.

Scope of Industrial Relations

The scope of industrial relations includes all aspects of relationships such as bringing cordial and healthy labor management relations, creating industrial peace and developing industrial democracy.

The cordial and healthy labor management relations could be brought in,

The industrial peace could be attained,

  • by settling industrial disputes through mutual understanding and agreement;
  • by evolving various legal measure and setting up various machineries such as Works Committee, Boards of Conciliation, Labor Courts etc.

The industrial democracy could be achieved,

  • by allowing workers to take part in management; and
  • by recognition of human rights.

Importance of Industrial Relations

  1. Uninterrupted Production: The most important benefit of industrial benefits is that it ensures continuity of production. This means continuous employment for all involved right from managers to workers. There is uninterrupted flow of income for all. Smooth running of industries is important for manufacturers, if their products are perishable goods and to consumers if the goods are for mass consumption (essential commodities, food grains etc.). Good industrial relations bring industrial peace which in turn tends to increase production.
  2. Reduction in Industrial disputes: Good Industrial relations reduce Industrial disputes. Strikes, grievances and lockouts are some of the reflections of Industrial unrest. Industrial peace helps in promoting co-operation and increasing production. Thus good Industrial relations help in establishing Industrial democracy, discipline and a conducive workplace environment.
  3. High morale: Good Industrial relations improve the morale of the employees and motivate the worker workers to work more and better.
  4. Reduced wastage: Good Industrial relations are maintained on the basis of co-operation and recognition of each other. It helps to reduce wastage of material, manpower and costs.
  5. Contributes to economic growth and development.

Causes of poor Industrial Relations

Perhaps the main cause or source of poor industrial relations resulting in inefficiency and labor unrest is mental laziness on the part of both management and labor. Management is not sufficiently concerned to ascertain the causes of inefficiency and unrest following the laissez-faire policy, until it is faced with strikes and more serious unrest. Even with regard to methods of work, management does not bother to devise the best method but leaves it mainly to the subordinates to work it out for themselves. Contempt on the part of the employers towards the workers is another major cause. However, the following are briefly the causes of poor industrial relations:

  1. Economic causes: Often poor wages and poor working conditions are the main causes for unhealthy relations between management and labor.   Unauthorized deductions from wages, lack of fringe benefits, absence of promotion opportunities, faulty incentive schemes are other economic causes. Other causes for Industrial conflicts are inadequate infrastructure, worn-out plant and machinery, poor layout, unsatisfactory maintenance etc.
  2. Organisational causes: Faulty communications system, unfair practices, non-recognition of trade unions and labor laws are also some other causes of poor relations in industry.
  3. Social causes: Uninteresting nature of work is the main social cause of poor Industrial relations. Dissatisfaction with job and personal life culminates into Industrial conflicts.
  4. Psychological causes: Lack of job security, non-recognition of merit and performance, poor interpersonal relations are the psychological reasons for unsatisfactory employer-employee relations.
  5. Political causes: Multiple unions, inter-union rivalry weaken the trade unions. Defective trade unions system prevailing in the country has been one of the most responsible causes for Industrial disputes in the country.

Suggestions to Improve Industrial Relations

  1. Sound personnel policies: Policies and procedures concerning the compensation, transfer and promotion, etc. of employees should be fair and transparent. All policies and rules relating to Industrial relations should be fair and transparent to everybody in the enterprise and to the union leaders.
  2. Participative management: Employees should associate workers and unions in the formulation and implementation of HR policies and practices.
  3. Responsible unions: A strong trade union is an asset to the employer. Trade unions should adopt a responsible rather than political approach to industrial relations.
  4. Employee welfare: Employers should recognize the need for the welfare of workers. They must ensure reasonable wages, satisfactory working conditions, and other necessary facilities for labor. Management should have a genuine concern for the welfare and betterment of the working class.
  5. Grievance procedure: A well-established and properly administered system committed to the timely and satisfactory redressal of employee’s grievances can be very helpful in improving Industrial relations. A suggestion scheme will help to satisfy the creative urge of the workers.
  6. Constructive attitude: Both management and trade unions should adopt positive attitude towards each other. Management must recognize unions as the spokesmen of the workers’ grievances and as custodians of their interests. The employer should accept workers as equal partners in a joint endeavor for good Industrial relations.
  7. Creating a proper communication channel to avoid grievances and misunderstandings among employees.
  8. Education and training imparted to the employees.

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