What is employee relations, and what does it mean in today’s corporate climate? What is employee relations is more than a question: it’s a central component of successful workplace management. It is a management style emphasizing cooperation to improve the office environment for everyone present. But how does that lofty ideal transfer into tangible actions and results? Let’s talk about it.
What Is Employee Relations in HR?
Ultimately, employee relations in human resource management is a program led by HR to improve interactions and relationships between employees and their employers. While the focus of individual HR employee relations plans may differ between companies, most programs emphasize communication, policies and discipline, psychological safety, conflict resolution, and performance and development.
For those wondering, “What is employee relations in HR?” and what it looks like in action, the HR department is integral to upholding worker’s rights, ensuring both corporations and employees are treated fairly, and fostering a safe environment for feedback. Real-world examples of employee relations include non-biased performance evaluations, anonymous employee surveys, clear corporate policies, interventions, conflict resolutions, and more. While HR is often the spearhead of employee relations, it takes the cooperation of the whole organization for policies to work effectively.
Why Implement Employee Relations?
First and foremost, when employees feel respected, heard, and supported through strong HR employee relations, they show greater engagement. Highly engaged teams perform 21% better than disengaged ones. Meanwhile, low engagement can cost businesses hundreds of billions annually.
A strong employee relations strategy also boosts retention. Recognized employees are six times more likely to stay, reducing costly turnover. Programs that reinforce communication, fairness, and feedback foster trust: and that trust drives commitment.
Lastly, companies with well-established employee relations in human resource management tend to build stronger reputations. Employees who feel valued are more likely to speak positively about their workplace, fueling employer branding and even customer sentiment.
Employee Relations Certification
While employee relations programs are critical to a company’s success, they often tackle large, intangible concepts that can be difficult to implement. Encouraging HR employees to earn an employee relations certification or take a professional micro-course can give departments the needed training to understand essential principles and incorporate them in a corporate environment. Completing the right employee relations certification program allows professionals to learn new, specialized skills, deepen their practical knowledge, and improve existing structures within a company.
Let HREN Help Your HR Employee Relations
From understanding the employee relations definition to executing a strong program, HR Education Network (HREN) can help. Our employee relations micro-credential course includes six modules of instruction, followed by a competency assessment. You’ll learn how to manage accommodations, improve coaching, and uphold employee rights while earning SHRM and HRCI credits.
Complete the course to earn a digital badge and demonstrate your expertise in HR employee relations.
