Relations · HR glossary

Industrial Relations

Industrial relations concerns relationships between employers, workers and their representatives, especially collective matters. It includes bargaining, consultation, disputes and institutions that regulate those relationships.

By SmallHRTools · How we write definitions

Example

An employer discusses proposed shift changes with a recognised union and uses the agreed procedure to address unresolved concerns.

What to keep in mind

The term is broader than dealing with strikes. Understand the applicable representation and bargaining arrangements, and keep individual employment issues distinct from matters that require collective engagement.

Further reading

← Browse all HR terms