Introduction

This seminar focuses on improving productivity and motivation by applying best practices in Employee Relations (ER). It helps organizations build a supportive and fair working environment where employees can contribute effectively, while ensuring that employee issues such as performance, absence, and grievances are managed in a structured and positive way.

Objectives 

By the end of the seminar, delegates will:

• Understand the role of Employee Relations within organizations
• Align ER policies with managerial practices effectively
• Manage change and support organizational transitions
• Handle performance issues and employee behavior constructively
• Apply disciplinary and grievance procedures correctly
• Manage employee absence and attendance issues
• Support employees through counseling and assistance programs
• Influence managers and team leaders to apply ER best practices
• Build a positive and productive workplace culture

Target Audience

• HR & Employee Relations Professionals
• Managers and Supervisors
• Team Leaders
• People Managers
• Organizational Development Specialists
• HR Business Partners
• Workplace Relations Officers

Outlines 

Day 1: The Core Role of Employee Relations

• The Context
• Change Management
• ER and Nationalisation
• Understanding the Rationale of ER
• The Core Role of ER
• The distinction between the role of the ER and the role of the Manager
• The Impact on Policies and Procedures
• Change Agent and Employee Champion
• The Psychological Contract

Day 2:  Supporting the Manager, Supervisor, or Team Leader

• Grievances
• Conducting the Grievance Interview
• Management’s right to manage
• Equal Opportunities
• Discrimination
• Equality and diversity
• Harassment and Bullying
• Motivation

Day 3: The ER function in Practice

• Communications
• Team Briefing
• Consultation
• Discipline - Gross misconduct
• Discipline - poor performance
• Appeals
• Handling sickness absence
• Return to work interviews
• Notification Rules
• Trigger Mechanisms

Day 4:  Getting the Best from People

• Getting the best from People
• Then characteristics of leaders
• Leading Vs Managing
• Leadership Competencies
• Leadership development
• 360-degree feedback
• Seminar review
• Personal Development Planning

Day 5: Managing Performance, Counselling, Providing Employee Assistance

• The performance management process
• Motivation and Goal Theory
• Giving Feedback
• Coaching
• Counseling – Managers and Supervisors
• Counseling employees
• A Counselling Style Inventory
• Employee Assistance Programmes