Module Code - Title:
PM4921
-
FUNDAMENTALS OF EMPLOYMENT RELATIONS
Year Last Offered:
2025/6
Hours Per Week:
Grading Type:
N
Prerequisite Modules:
Rationale and Purpose of the Module:
The purpose of the module is to introduce students to the nature of Employment Relations in Ireland both as an academic subject and a practical activity in the workplace. More specifically, the module aims to introduce students to the key actors, structures and processes of employment relations in the workplace; to understand the role employer and employee representatives play in employment relations processes; to introduce students to the importance of policies, processes, and practices in maintaining good employment relations; to identify the various dispute resolution bodies that operate in Ireland.
Syllabus:
The historical and legal background contributing to the development of the Irish industrial relations system, introduction to regulatory framework in Ireland pertaining to the employment relationship, common grievance and disciplinary issues including those arising from digitalisation and hybrid working, developing grievance and disciplinary procedures, managing grievance and disciplinary issues, employee voice in the workplace, trade unions and national industrial relations actors/institutions, the implications of advances in technology and changing work contexts for employment relations actors and institutions.
Learning Outcomes:
Cognitive (Knowledge, Understanding, Application, Analysis, Evaluation, Synthesis)
On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:
Describe the key historical developments in Irish employments relations at national and workplace level.
Identify the role and functions of industrial relations actors and institutions.
Display familiarity with the role played by dispute resolution bodies in Irish employment relations.
Develop procedures for addressing workplace grievance and discipline issues.
Assess the causes and potential solutions to grievance and discipline workplace scenarios.
Demonstrate knowledge of the regulatory environment impacting the employment relationship.
Affective (Attitudes and Values)
On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:
Reflect on the skills required for professionals to effectively address employment relations issues in the workplace.
Psychomotor (Physical Skills)
On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:
How the Module will be Taught and what will be the Learning Experiences of the Students:
A blended approach to teaching will be adopted which will include online and face to face lectures. Students will be encouraged to be active learners and engage with online platforms including podcasts, seminars, and discussion forums. The module leader will invite guest speakers and provide links to relevant webinars to bring practical experiences of managing the employment relationship to the module. The Department of Work & Employment Studies has a strong research track record in areas relevant to this module. Contemporary research topics by faculty within the Department as well as their wider national and international networks will be incorporated to class discussions as appropriate. Key areas of research include: regulation of the employment relationship; zero hours contracts; the impact of technology on employees.
Research Findings Incorporated in to the Syllabus (If Relevant):
Prime Texts:
Wallace, J., Gunnigle, P., & O'Sullivan, M. (2020)
Industrial Relations in Ireland.
, Dublin: IPA
Dundon, T., Cullinane, N., Wilkinson, A. (2017)
A very short, fairly interesting, and reasonably cheap book about employment relations
, LA: Sage
Wilkinson, A., & Michael, B. (2020)
The Future of Work and Employment.
, Northampton: Edward Elgar Publishing
Other Relevant Texts:
CIPD (2021)
Employee Relations: An Introduction.
, London: CIPD
Programme(s) in which this Module is Offered:
Semester(s) Module is Offered:
Autumn
Module Leader:
Tish.Gibbons@ul.ie