Industrial Relations and Discipline

This chapter offers a comprehensive exploration of industrial relations (IR) and discipline within the workplace. It begins by defining industrial relations, outlining its scope, and emphasising its importance in fostering harmonious relationships between employers, employees, and other stakeholders. The roles of various parties in IR, including employers, employees, trade unions, and government bodies, are examined, followed by a discussion of different models of industrial relations and their applications across diverse contexts. Emerging trends and challenges, such as globalisation, technological advancements, and changing workforce demographics, are addressed to highlight the evolving nature of IR systems. The chapter also introduces the concept of discipline, defining its meaning, purpose, and significance in maintaining organisational order. Various types of discipline, from preventive to corrective, are explained, and the steps involved in the disciplinary procedure are discussed, ensuring fairness, consistency, and legal compliance in managing employee behaviour. Furthermore, the chapter incorporates interactive learning components such as fill-in-the-blanks exercises, multiple-choice questions, long-form caselet questions, case studies, and classroom activities to reinforce understanding and facilitate practical application of industrial relations concepts.