Different Perspectives of Employee Relations
We can see the relationships between employer and employees from a various angles, each stressing a distinct facet of the employment relationship. Here are some popular viewpoints on employee relations. In general, these perspectives that helps to analyze the nature of employee-employer conflicts within an organization. Let’s do a quick look at on these perspectives.
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Unitarist Perspective
Many people believe that trade unions are
not needed and are not effective. This view thinks that there is no need for an
outside group, such as a trade union, to be involved in the relationship
between an employer and their workers.
The Pluralist Perspective
The pluralist perspective on work
relationships believes that employees and employers may not always have the
same interests, opposing the unitary view that everyone has the same interests.
This perspective originated in the early stages of labor relations before they
were known as employment relations. The pluralist theory of employment
relations says that in a company, there are different groups of people with
their own goals and values. Supporters of this perspectives see a company as a
place with lots of different structures, and believe that there will be
conflict if power isn't shared between the groups.
Source: https://www.the-american-interest.com/2014/10/03/populist-illusions-and-pluralist-realities/
The Radical Perspective
The radical perspective, which comes from
Marxism, focuses on how there is conflict between different groups of people.
Those who support this method consider the characteristics of the community
where the company works. In a capitalist society, it is believed that the rich
unfairly benefit at the expense of workers, leading to conflict between the
rich and the poor. According to the radical perspective, conflicts are always caused
by significant social and economic issues. From a radical
point of view, the problem always starts at a big picture level and it's all
about society, politics, and money because it shows the flaws in our capitalist
system.
References
Gavrilov, M., 2021. Employment Relations as seen
from the Pluralist and Neo Pluralist Perspectives. [Online]
Available at: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/employment-relations-seen-from-pluralist-neo-matthias-gavrilov/
[Accessed 09 April 2024].
Hewage, N., 2023. https://medium.com/@NathaliyaHewage/different-perspectives-on-employee-relations-e4506fc1a4b1.
[Online]
Available at: https://medium.com/@NathaliyaHewage/different-perspectives-on-employee-relations-e4506fc1a4b1
[Accessed 09 April 2024].
Pretorius, J., 2022. Linkdin.com. [Online]
Available at: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/various-perspectives-employment-relations-jd-pretorius/
[Accessed 09 April 2024].
It's clear that these various perspectives shed light on different aspects of employee relations. Whether it's the unitarist perspective promoting cooperation, the pluralist perspective recognizing diverse interests, or the radical perspective focusing on societal issues, each viewpoint offers valuable insights into managing employee-employer relationships. It's important to consider these perspectives to navigate conflicts and foster a positive work environment.
ReplyDeleteThis Article is so interesting and yes... The pluralist perspective on work relationships suggests that employees and employers may not always share the same interests, originating in early labor relations. It suggests that different groups within a company have different goals and values, potentially leading to conflict.
ReplyDeleteCorrect, each perspective offers valuable insights into nurturing a harmonious and productive workplace.
ReplyDeleteIt's true that each perspective provides unique insights into the dynamics of the employer-employee relationship, from emphasizing cooperation and shared interests to acknowledging inherent conflicts stemming from power imbalances and societal structures.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely, understanding these perspectives really helps in tailoring approaches that can foster a healthier and more productive workplace environment. It’s great to see how each perspective brings something valuable to the table!
ReplyDeleteVery well-written Himaru! The Unitarist perspective emphasizes cooperation and collaboration. It highlights the importance of fostering a positive work environment where everyone feels invested in the organization's well-being. The Pluralist perspective recognizes the legitimacy of these competing interests. It encourages negotiation, compromise, and the formation of collective bargaining units like unions to represent employee rights and interests. The Radical perspective emphasizes the importance of worker empowerment and social justice. It highlights the need for fairer distribution of wealth and greater worker control within organizations. Real-world workplaces are complex and can exhibit characteristics of all three perspectives at different times.
ReplyDeleteAn informative article on the different perspectives of relationships between employer and employees. You have discussed about the unitarist, pluralist and the radical perspectives. Each stressing a unique perspective of the employment relationship. The identification of the types of people an organization has will make it easier to design and build a dynamic workforce. Nice article!
ReplyDeletewell explanation about different perspectives of Employees indicating Unitarism and Pluralism. In General most of Employees are plural as they have their own work plan apart from the Employer vision. Anyhow, Employer should clever enough to build a strong Employee relations to achieve Organizations' long term Goals.
ReplyDelete