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Employee - Employer Relations : Expectations of Employees and Employers


Maintenance of a good employee - employer relationship is a key factor for an organization to be successful. There are several philosophies that would help to understand the importance and the effects of employee relations with the management of an organization. 
According to Armstrong, one philosophy regarding employee relations is, the Unitary and Pluralist view. The unitary view can also be recognized as an autocratic or authoritarian view, where the management would consider themselves as the rule making authority and everyone else in the organization is directed and controlled by the management of the organization. It encourages and directs the employees of the organization to build up good teamwork and work together to achieve a common objective of the organization (Armstrong, 2017)



The Pluralist view is completely different from the previously described autocratic view. In this view, it considers an industrial organization as a plural society containing many separate objectives and interests that should be maintained in an equilibrium. It doesn't seek the interests of employees and considers them as an opposition that doesn't seek to govern (Armstrong, 2017). 

By carefully analyzing the philosophy of Unitary and Pluralist view, it can be understood that, for an organization to thrive successfully in the business world, a unitary approach should exist.

Apart from working to achieve a common goal in an organization with good team work as described in the unitary approach, employees and employers both would have their own expectations from each-other. Thought should be given to the expectations of employees and employers which are given below.

Employee Expectations :

  • To be treated in terms of fairness, equity, respect and consistency
  • Job security
  • Scope to demonstrate competence
  • Opportunity to develop skills
  • Trust in the management of the organization to keep their promises
  • Overall benefits, compensation/pay
  • Efforts to be noticed and recognized

Employer Expectations:

  • Commitment
  • Be cooperative and interested in the job 
  • Arrive at work in time
  • Fulfill commitments and finish assigned tasks on schedule
  • Express your opinions
  • Learn from suggestions and constructive criticism
  • collaboration and teamwork
When the expectations of the employees or employers are not met and addressed in an appropriate manner, it would cause dissatisfaction to both parties. As described by Armstrong, to avoid disappointments, it is wise to have a good "two way communication" between the employees and the management of the organization. By that, it enables the organization to inform employees about matters that would interest them, provide feedback to them and also, on the other hand it will provide an upward communication to give the employees a voice regarding their matters. 

Author - Randoll James


References

Armstrong, M., 2017. Armstrong's Essential Human Resource Management Practice. Kogan

Comments

  1. Hi Randoll,

    I think its a good mix of Unitary and Pluralist would be the best approach as both have strengths and weakness.

    To highlight the weakness of Unitary view, is that conflicts are seen as negative and are not encouraged which would lead to not gaining positive out comes of conflict resolution such as task conflicts (i.e. how task should be performed). Some conflicts can improve the performance of task (and the business).

    To highlight the strength of Pluralist view, is that proactively addressing conflicts would create a more effective HR system with multiple policies that recognised union or non-union representatives as we can not completely forget that by human nature we are all unique and have unique needs.

    Therefore a good mix of the two approaches (i.e. good balance) would be an ideal HRM practise from my point of view.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Employees and employers dont always do perfect jobs. Every individual perspectives alone. The gap that creates should be effectively managed to mitigate the disagreements. Being effective as both means having proactive alignment. Maximize business performance and also maximize individual capabilities. Anyhow this could be vary from company to company. The key lies is create a bridge in communication and good leadetrship.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hi Randoll, What do you think is the most important factor in maintaining a strong relationship with the employee? Is it the monetary factors or the non-monetary factors?

    ReplyDelete
  4. Wonderful blog! Employee engagement activities at the workplace can lead employees to be stress-free and energetic. The simple approach to engaging employees in fun activities and games. An employee engagement company in India, help various corporate and organizations to organize team-building, employee engagement and reward & recognition events.

    ReplyDelete

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