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Chapter 5: Staffing

LESSON 6 Employee Relations

Employee relations applies to all phases of work activities in organizations, and managers, to be effective, must be able to encourage good employee relations among all human resources under his or her care.

Employees/workers are social beings who need connections or relations with other beings—other employees/workers—who are capable of giving them social support as they carry out their tasks in the organization where all of them belong. Talking to a coworker, perceived to be a friend, or working on a delicate task with others can be comforting during times of stress, fear, or loneliness. When these negative feelings are overcome, employees will be able to work better toward the achievement of their organization’s goals.

Effective Employer Relations and Social Support

Social support is the sum total of perceived assistance or benefits that may result from effective social employee relationships. The quantity and quality of an employee’s relationship with others determine social support (esteem support, informational support, or financial support).

In short, social support and effective employee relations must always go together like “a horse and carriage,” where one would be useless without the other. Therefore, without social support, effective employee relations is not possible; and without effective social employee relationships, social support, likewise, is not possible.

Below are some barriers to good employee relations:

• Anti-social personality; refusal to share more about oneself to co-employees; being a loner

• Lack of trust in others

• Selfish attitude; too many self-serving motives

• Lack of good self-esteem

• Not a team player

• Being conceited

• Cultural/subcultural differences

• Lack of cooperation

• Communication problems; refusal to listen to what others seek to communicate

• Lack of concern for others’ welfare

Here are some ways to overcome barriers to good employee relations:

• Develop a healthy personality to overcome negative attitudes and behavior

• Find time to socialize with coworkers.

• Overcome tendencies of being too dependent on electronic gadgets.

• Develop good communication skills and be open to others’ opinions.

• Minimize cultural/subcultural tension.

Definition of Terms

Unionism – the principle of combination for unity of purpose and action

Employee relations – the connection created among employees/workers as they do their assigned tasks for the organization to which they belong

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