Going postal - the role of HR in a strike

Posted by Kevin Dougall in Strategies, Managing people, Employment law on Thu, 29/10/2009 - 18:08
  • In a strike situation, HR will be involved in the dispute resolution process
  • Could HR have played a part in avoiding the dispute in the first place?
  • Thw world has been though a traumatic time - don't forget to ask people how they are feeling and maintain open and honest communication

The industrial dispute which has engulfed Royal Mail in recent weeks has led many commentators to predict another 'winter of discontent'. Kevin Dougall explores the role of HR and how to avoid bitter disputes in the first place.
 

 

Many younger HR workers will not remember the strikes which blighted the 1970s and 80s, but recently echoes of images past have re-emerged as picket lines, banners and trade union statements flood the news. It's not just the post workers. Already, members of British Airways cabin staff are threatening strike action in the run up to Christmas. Refuse workers in Leeds are engaged in industrial action. Others are expected to follow suit over the coming weeks.

What is the role of HR in a situation like this? Not easy, immediately springs to mind. Yes, HR will be involved in the dispute resolution process and may act in a mediation capacity; attempting to bring the two sides together. Alternatively, HR may take the side of the employer; after all it is the employer who pays their salaries.

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Editor's Welcome

 

Hello! And welcome back as we enter 2012, with a busy year ahead of us all. With talk of double-dip recessions, a possible partial or even full break-up of the Eurozone and unemployment rates set to hit nearly 9%, topics such as organisational streamlining, staff resilience and talent management are likely to be on many an HR professional's lips over the next 12 months.
 
But to lighten the gloom here in the UK, we also have the Queen's Diamond Jubilee and its attendant public holidays to look forward to at the start of June. Followed by two weeks of Olympic Games from 27 July to 12 August and the Paralympics from 29 August to 9 September, each generating their own excitement, but also issues to work through for hard-pressed HR departments trying to sort out the multifarious staffing issues in advance.
 
So with an interesting but challenging year to come, HRZone promises to be with you, supporting you all the way and providing our usual insightful blend of news, analysis, community blogs and expert comment to help you sort the wheat from the chaff. As ever, we love to hear from you too so feel free to either post your words of wisdom to our blog section yourself or, in the case of longer, more in-depth ‘expert voice’ articles, drop me a line with any ideas to cath.everett@siftmedia.co.uk.....
 
Cath Everett
HRZone Editor 
 
 
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Royal Mail set for three-day strike