Course Description

Effective employment relations are essential for maintaining a productive, harmonious, and legally compliant public service environment. Public sector organisations operate within a unique framework where employee rights, collective relationships, administrative procedures, and public accountability must be carefully balanced. This programme equips participants with the knowledge and practical skills required to manage employment relations effectively, handle grievances and disciplinary matters, engage with stakeholders, resolve workplace conflicts, and promote a positive organisational climate.

Course Objectives

The objectives of the course are to enable participants to:

• • understand the principles, concepts, and distinctive characteristics of employment relations in the public service.
• • apply relevant legal frameworks, regulations, and procedures governing public officers.
• • understand the roles of key stakeholders involved in employment relations.
• • manage relationships with trade unions and employee associations professionally.
• • handle grievance and disciplinary procedures fairly, transparently, and in accordance with legal requirements.
• • apply principles of natural justice and procedural fairness in employment decisions.
• • strengthen employee engagement, trust, and workplace collaboration.
• • develop effective approaches for managing workplace conflicts and difficult conversations.
• • minimise organisational, legal, and reputational risks arising from poor employment relations.
• • address emerging employment relations challenges in a changing public sector environment.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

• • explain the scope and importance of employment relations in the public service.
• • identify the rights, responsibilities, and obligations of employees and management.
• • understand collective agreements, recognition, bargaining processes, and employee representation.
• • apply appropriate procedures for managing grievances and disciplinary cases.
• • conduct fair investigations and maintain proper documentation.
• • use conflict resolution techniques to address workplace disputes.
• • promote positive employee relations and organisational trust.
• • monitor employment relations trends and respond to emerging workplace challenges.

Topics covered:

• • Introduction to Employment Relations
• • Employment Relations in the Public Service
• • Stakeholder Engagement and Union Relations
• • Legal Foundations of Employment Relations
• • Procedure Agreements and Employee Rights
• • Grievance Management Procedures
• • Disciplinary Procedures and Risk Management
• • Employee Engagement and Workplace Relations