This perception is false that the employee relations function is outdated or has become irrelevant in the spate of technology taking over HR processes. The function of employee relations is all about the art of managing and being managed, and it will remain relevant, whether in the present or future. Since work, workplace, and workforce are constantly evolving, the dynamics of employee relations will also witness change in the future.
Future employee relations scenario will depend on how successfully organisations integrate the element of collaboration in remote and workplace employees, in different generations, in growing technological support, like work people will undertake and growing class of regular, contractual, freelance/gig workforce, etc. because it does not matter, what kind of business one carry, it does not impact what kind of workforce is engaged and it does have importance as from where one works and contribute to organisation’s objectives and growth, what matters most would be a deeply ingrained sense of collaboration where there will be the majority of collarless workforce but not formally recognized.
Future employee relations are most likely to be impacted by a growing sense of inequity among the workforce regarding the remuneration they are or might be paid in future. The difference ratio between senior most and junior most remuneration is huge and the growing widening gap is reportedly a serious concern for healthy employee relations. Social security, mental health/well-being, work-life balance, and toxic work culture, will be the issues that determine the fate of employee relations in the future.
Unless it is shifted from the power of supremacy to more collaborative and from adversarial to partnering, organisations will continue to face disruptions on this front because the new generation workforce will not simply hear one side sermons from managers but will discuss the issues with logic and rationale and managers have to be readily skilled to answer queries and satisfy people. Approach and methodology may change but significance would continue.
To maintain healthy employee relations, HR professionals, need to demonstrate personal integrity and adherence to values, develop mutual trust, and understand and appreciate each other’s perspectives and continuous dialogue. Understanding/knowing your people will be the key and not only judging them all the time.
This edition cover story is an attempt to understand the nuances of future employee relations, challenges due to diverse workforce, their expectations, and tech intervention. The insights of revered HR management professionals will be of immense benefit to readers.
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