International Management Institute

PGDM (HRM) 2020-22

Term III (January 2021 – March 2021)
ER 505
Employee Relations & Management of Unions

Faculty: Shailendra Nigam

Telephone: 011-47194100 Ext:109
E-Mail : shailendra@imi.edu
Chamber Consultation Hours: 01:00 pm – 02:00 pm (Thursday)

Objectives
The course is designed to address key concepts of employee relations and relationship impacts
between employers, employees and unions. Course content will help students in developing a
comprehensive perspective of the role of the three players of industrial relations and how they
influence the industry and the economy. At the end of the course, the student will be able:

 To learn the systems framework and theoretical perspectives concerning industrial

relations
 To identify and deal with industrial conflicts and means of resolving disputes
 To analyze issues in employee relations and provide counsel and guidance to
management regarding nurturing a harmonious and labour law compliant workplace
 To strategize and align collective bargaining with interests of stakeholders and business
objectives
Mapping between Course objectives and Program Objectives

Program Course Course Course

Objectives
Objective 1 Objective 2 Objective 3

Program
Objective 1.1

Demonstrate
oral
communication
capability in  
business
situations.

Program
Objective 1.2

Demonstrate

1
capability to
make effective
presentations
related to
business cases
and research
through
correct and
precise use of
language
leading to
logical
conclusions.

Program
Objective 1.3

Demonstrate
awareness of
socio-
economic
environment,
both domestic
and
international

Program
Objective 2.1

Demonstrate
ability to
discuss ethical
issues in  
business cases.

Program
Objective 2.2

Demonstrate
ability to
discern
between
ethical and
non-ethical
practices in
business
situations.

Program
Objective 3.1

Demonstrate

2
 analytical
thinking in
business  
situations.

Program
Objective 3.2

Demonstrate
ability to solve
business
problems.

Program
Objective 4.1

Demonstrate
understanding
of business
concepts  

Program
Objective 4.2

Demonstrate
ability to apply
concepts, tools
and techniques
to real life
situations.

Pedagogy
Lecture, Group Work, Case Analysis, Assignments, Class Exercises and Interaction by
Practioners/Labour Administrators

Evaluation Criteria(%)

Serial Component Weightage

Number
1 Mid Term Examination 30%
2 Group Work 20%
3 2 Quizzes & Class Participation 20%
4 End Term Examination 30%

Reading Material

Text book(s)

3
 1. Singh, P.N., & Kumar Neeraj, Employee Relations Management, Pearson, New
Delhi,

Reference book(s)
1 Industrial Relations by Dr. C S Venkataratnam, Oxford University Press, New Delhi,
2008
2 Monappa, Arun, Industrial Relations McGraw Hill, Delhi,

Other readings
1. Indian Journal of Industrial Relations, Shri Ram Centre for Industrial
Relations, New Delhi
2. Indian Journal of Social Work, Bombay
3. ILO Reports and Studies conducted by ILO
4. Publications as shared in the class

Session Plan

Sessi Topic Readings Learning

on
1 Course Introduction, Course outline and Appreciating the course framework and
Requirements & Evaluation Guide understanding the concept & process of
Expectations, Group group work
Assignments and
Evaluation

2-3 Industrial Relations: PNS Ch 1; CSV: Ch Various approaches of IR, the system
Theoretical Perspective & 1&2; model, the pluralist approach, the
System Framework structural contradictions perspective

4 Industrial Relations in ERM: PNS Ch 2, 9- Our Constitution, Role of State in IR,

India: Role of State 11,16; Case Tripartism, Regulative & Participative
Bodies
5 Industrial Relations in ERM: PNS Ch 4; The Employers, Employers’ Associations, Major
India: Role of Industry & ILO: Next 100 years approaches in managing employees
Workforce Case

6 Industrial Relations in ERM: PNS Ch 5&6;

Trade unionism in India, structure, size,
India: Role of Unionism Case; affiliation, leadership, recognition,
registration, politics, TU Democracy, white
collar unionism, unionism in unorganized
sector
7 Trade Unionism ERM: PNS Ch 5&6; Rise and status of Trade Unions in other
Case countries
8-9 Employee Relations in a PNS Ch 3; IR & Complexities of IR Systems across

4
 Comparative Framework Increasing countries, International IR Trends,
Globalization by
CSV; Case
10-11 Managing conflicts and ERM: PNS Ch 12-14; Concept, Causes/Sources of Grievance,
Grievance Management Why Engineers Legislative aspects, Procedure, Union’s
Strike; Exercises perspective, Case studies
12 Migration & ERM: PNS; Cross Consequences of international labour
Multiculturalism: Impact Cultural Crash and migration, companies as fundamental tools
on IR Labour Conflict in immigration & integration,
13 Contract Labour, PNS Ch 9; Case Legal and Business Perspective
Outsourcing and Studies
Industrial Relations
14-15 Bargaining: Process, PNS: Ch; Labour Definitions and Characteristics of
Structure and Negotiation Relations and Bargaining, Theories of Collective
Collective Bargaining Bargaining, CB in India, The Negotiation
: ILO Publication; Process, Negotiation & Collective
Collective Bargaining Bargaining, Administration of the
Workers are…..CSV Agreement
16 Employee Participation CSV Ch 8-9 &18; Perspectives on Participation, Direct and
and Labour-management Employee Representative forms of Participation
Consultation Participation in India
by Ratna Sen
17-18 Contemporary Issues in ERM: PNS Ch 7-8; IR in emerging scenario, The Future Trends
Employee Relations ArcelorMittal and
Nestle ER Policy
19-20 Group Work Presentation Groups 1-10 Group Presentation and Written Report

Special Instructions

Attendance and Class Participation

The main focus of the course delivery is to enhance the knowledge and relevance of employee
relations and unionism through participation and involvement. Regular attendance and
participation in class discussions will become important elements of the learning process in this
course. Thus, all are advised to read the related chapters, cases and reading materials before class
and bring them along to the class for meaningful and content based discussion.

Group Work comprising of Research Paper and Presentation

Groups of 5-6 will be formed to carry out the study-cum-research based on notified guidelines.