Employment rights disputes: what is the role of HR professionals?

Citation

Walker, B. (2012), "Employment rights disputes: what is the role of HR professionals?", Human Resource Management International Digest, Vol. 20 No. 3. https://doi.org/10.1108/hrmid.2012.04420caa.003

Employment rights disputes: what is the role of HR professionals?

Article Type: Abstracts From: Human Resource Management International Digest, Volume 20, Issue 3

Walker B. and Hamilton R.T.Asia Pacific Journal of Human Resources, December 2011, Vol. 49 No. 4, Start page: 409, No. of pages: 16

Explores the role of human resource specialists in the handling of employee grievances. Most studies of HRM devolution have drawn only on the perceptions of managers and have neglected the area of grievances. Highlights the employee experience of grievances under different levels of HRM devolution. Investigates the progression of 14 grievance cases, accessing the full set of parties to each one. Gathers data using a triangulated method involving 70 interviews, direct observation and written submissions. Suggests grievance handling is not readily accommodated within devolved HR structures. The role of HR staff in grievance processes can be ill-defined and shows wide variation, causing problems for both line managers and employees. This lack of definition can lead to negative outcomes and damage the credibility of the HR department. Intends to initiate debate concerning the potential roles of HR practitioners in grievance handling.ISSN: 1038-4111Reference: 41AC523

Keywords: Devolving HR, Effectiveness, Grievances, Mediation, New Zealand