A new CIPD report revealed that 62% of employers believe the UK is entering a more unstable period of employee relations. With potential new legal changes arriving soon, those wishing to build positive industrial relations will need to have a transparent approach, underpinned by shared expectations and behaviours. So, what role must people professionals and employers more broadly play in establishing shared expectations and behaviours, strengthen partnerships with trade unions, and create effective voice channels within organisations?

Join Nigel Cassidy and this month’s guests – Nita Clarke, Director at Involvement and Participation Association (IPA); Mustafa Faruqi, Employee Relations Strategy Director at BT; and Alistair Paton, Senior Director for Colleague Relations at Asda.

In this episode we explore:

  • The changing context of industrial relations in the UK and what the implications of the Employment Rights Bill will be
  • The principal foundations of productive and effective partnerships with trade unions and the role of HR
  • What HR can control within their organisation, including reviewing or establishing effective voice channels

Duration: 00:30:42

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