In recent years, the field of employment relations (ER) – invigorated by constant change and a number of lively debates – has increased in importance among managers, academics and policy makers alike. The purpose of this course is to examine these changes and debates, drawing on contemporary research and organisational practice.
In line with this objective, the course analyses contemporary and emerging issues in employment relations. These include new management approaches, the decline of unions, the increase in workforce diversity, migration, part-time and temporary work, and the role of management and labour law in shaping employment relations. The module principally focuses on the impact of these issues in the UK, but also examines the role of these issues in shaping ER in other EU countries, the US and Asia.