What reasons do you to attribute to the fact that Industrial relation skills which was considered as one of the most desired and pre requisite skill for any HR person to succeed, has now become almost extinct?
AB It is true that many organisations have in recent years, relegated Industrial Relations to an almost defunct function. The main reason is a false assumption that disputes have declined and that organisations are better managed than they were some three decades ago. True, there is a sharp decline in Industrial disputes and instances of direct actions like strikes or lockouts. It is also true that the management of the workforce has substantially improved but it would be folly to assume that grievances and unrest have totally disappeared from the workforce.
It is natural to expect disagreements, disputes and perceived unfairness amongst the workforce. The only difference that has occurred is the manner in which these differences are manifested. In the...