Industrial Relations (IR), Employee Relations (ER) & Trade Union Harmony

Introduction

This exciting and innovative GLOMACS training course will introduce you to the latest and world best practices in Industrial and Employee Relations (ER-IR), suitable for all African organisations. This course is very practical and highly rewarding.  It is about the maintenance of the employment relationship, essentially how trade unions and management of an organisation interact and can cooperate to encourage capacity building.

This interactive GLOMACS training course will provide participants with current and important information on the structure, functions and objectives of Trade Unions. It will also explore transformational IR/ER and encourage good working relationships with all stakeholders.

Industrial Relations (IR) & Employee Relations (ER) has undergone many changes over the past decade, but it continues to be a critical area for all organisations, particularly those in Africa. In the last 40 years, African trade unions  and Industrial Relations (IR) Professionals have built capacity skills, especially in education, gender issues, and health issues.

Expanding on this important work, this GLOMACS training course will highlight:

• The importance of a Management – Trade union partnership
• The employment relationship and the psychological contract
• Managing workplace conflict, mental-health first aid and workplace bullying
• Negotiation techniques that promote a win-win approach
• Ways to keep any Trade Union strategically evolving and relevant

Objectives

By the end of this GLOMACS course, participants will learn to:

• Develop a collaborative approach to Industrial Relations (IR) & Employee Relations (ER)
• Examine techniques for enhancing & transforming Industrial Relations (IR), Employee Relations (ER) and Trade Unionism
• Appreciate the importance of employee engagement and empowerment
• Critically analyse effective conflict resolution and workplace mediation
• Describe the emerging challenges to trade unions globally and in Africa

Training Methodology

Participants in this GLOMACS course will receive thorough training on the subjects covered by the course outline with the facilitator utilising a variety of proven adult learning teaching and facilitation techniques.

This course is very participatory and interactive. It involves skill practice in a group setting. Training methodology includes individual and group activities that will intersperse the sessions.  A variety of practical sessions, relevant case studies, simulations, and group games and activities are programmed into this interactive course.

Organisational Impact

• An appreciation of the benefits of transformational Industrial Relations (IR), Employee Relations (ER) and Trade Unionism
• A focus on best-practices in labour and industrial relations in the African context
• Stronger labour-management relations
• Reduced time and costs spent on grievance arbitration
• Promoting and supporting collaboration in workplace negotiations

Personal Impact

• Improve your effectiveness as a trade union delegate, official or HR / IR / ER Professional
• Develop practical, transferable skills and competencies
• Better understand the future of labour and industrial relations in Africa
• Practical skills in the skills of workplace mediation
• Learn about the best ways to negotiate and minimise conflict