Employment relations

Relationships between workers and employers are a fundamentally important part of economic and social life, and our Employment Relations research looks at how governments, employers and other agencies influence these relationships. It also explores how working people can organise themselves to improve the quality of their working lives.

Through our research, we're answering some of the fundamental questions at the heart of the employer-worker relationship – from how these relationships are regulated by employers, trade unions, governments and other bodies, to why conflict arises between workers and their employers and how such conflict manifests itself.

There's also an increasingly international dimension to our research in the field, and we're investigating the expanding role played by international organisations in trying to shape the nature of work and employment relationships. Our research focuses on the role and influence of these international organisations, the relationships that exist between them, and how their policies relate to global labour governance.

Our work is frequently published by leading academic journals such as the British Journal of Industrial Relations, the Industrial Relations Journal, Employee Relations, Economic and Industrial Democracy, and the European Journal of Industrial Relations.

Our research covers the following topics

The study of union organising and attitudes of young workers towards trade unions
Employment relations policy and regulation
New and emerging actors in employment relations
The intersection of international comparative employment relations with organisation theory

The latter topic focuses, in particular, on the issue of international labour standards and the dialogue between the global unions and international financial institutions, such as the World Bank and IMF.

Methods

Our research makes use of both large-scale quantitative research methods – including statistical techniques such as regression analysis and structural equation modelling – and qualitative methods such as interviews, case studies and ethnographic techniques. We also analyse and interpret policy developments at various levels.

Collaborations and funders

We enjoy a close relationship with the British Universities Industrial Relations Association (BUIRA), and we've undertaken work with various trade union organisations, including Unite Community. Our work on international financial institutions and global labour governance has also enabled us to work collaboratively with agencies such as the International Labour Organisation and the World Bank.

Recent funders for our research include major funding organisations such as the Nuffield Foundation, and the Low Pay Commission, an independent body that advises the government about the National Living Wage and the National Minimum Wage.

Publication highlights

Royle, T. and Rueckert, Y. (2020). Work, Employment and Society, 36(3), pages 407–426.
Ruekert, Y. (2021). Economic and Industrial Democracy, 42/3.
Trade union community membership: exploring what people who are not in paid employment could contribute to union activism

Holgate, J., Alberti, G., Byford, I. & Greenwood, I. (2021). Transfer, 27/4, pages 469-483.
Albelali, S. & Williams, S. (2022). Employee Relations, 44/2, pages 431-45.

Discover our areas of expertise

Employment relations is 1 of our 4 areas of expertise in our Organisational Studies and HR research area. Explore the others below.

Human resource (HR) management and leadership

We're researching the nature of leadership and management, and the cultures and practices which influence how people are led and work. Explore our human resource management global hr and leadership research.

Workplace learning and development

We're developing productive ways of learning-in-action & researching how adults learn best in workplace settings. Explore our workplace learning and development research.

Female and male employee attending an at-work seminar

Business ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)

We're conducting research into corporate responsibility, business ethics, and how we can promote a more responsible business culture. Explore our business ethics and corporate social responsibility CSR research.