Employee relations issues, from grievances to disciplinary matters to workplace conflict, are inevitable in any organisation, yet many managers and HR professionals handle them reactively and inconsistently. This course builds practical, legally sound employee relations skills that protect both the organisation and its employees while resolving issues effectively.
50-200%of an employee's annual salary is the average cost of a poorly handled employee relations case
70%of team engagement variance attributable to direct manager quality
310+professionals trained by Matsh in this programme
Common challenges this course addresses:
- You handle employee grievances inconsistently without a clear, documented process
- You are not fully confident in disciplinary procedures and the legal risks involved
- You struggle to mediate conflicts between employees or between employees and managers
- You lack awareness of the specific employment law considerations relevant to your context
- You address employee relations issues reactively rather than through preventive practice
This course builds the practical, legally sound skills to handle employee relations proactively and consistently.
Who Should Attend
👥
HR Professionals
Those directly managing employee relations cases.
👔
Line Managers
Managers who handle employee issues as part of their daily role.
⚖️
Compliance Officers
Staff ensuring employee relations practices meet legal requirements.
🏢
Senior Leadership
Executives setting employee relations policy and culture.
📋
Union and Employee Representatives
Those representing employee interests in relations processes.
🚀
Small Business Owners
Owners managing employee relations without dedicated HR support.
What You Will Leave With
Practical tools applicable immediately.
✓Grievance handling framework, a clear, consistent process for addressing complaints
✓Disciplinary procedure skills, managing performance and conduct issues fairly and legally
✓Workplace mediation techniques, resolving conflict between employees or with management
✓Employment law awareness, understanding key legal considerations in your context
✓Preventive practice strategies, building culture that reduces the frequency of serious issues
✓Documentation practices, protecting both organisation and employee through proper records
What Participants Report
From follow-up surveys 60 days after the programme
75%reported improved confidence handling grievance processes
68%successfully mediated a workplace conflict using course techniques
310+professionals trained across all cohorts
"We handled every grievance differently depending on who managed it, which created real inconsistency and risk. Building one clear, documented process protected us and, honestly, treated our employees more fairly too."
Head of Human Resources, manufacturing sector
Programme Outline
1
Employee Relations Fundamentals and Legal Framework
Why this module matters: Understanding the legal framework is the foundation for every subsequent decision in employee relations, and gaps here create significant organisational risk.
- Core employment law principles relevant to workplace relations
- Rights and responsibilities of both employer and employee
- The critical role of documentation in protecting all parties
Why this module matters: A consistent, fair grievance process protects the organisation from risk while genuinely addressing employee concerns.
- Building a clear, documented grievance handling process
- Conducting fair, thorough grievance investigations
- Communicating outcomes appropriately to all parties involved
3
Disciplinary Processes and Workplace Mediation
Why this module matters: Disciplinary matters and interpersonal conflict both require structured, fair processes rather than ad hoc management responses.
- Managing disciplinary processes fairly and in line with legal requirements
- Workplace mediation techniques for resolving conflict between parties
- Balancing firmness with fairness throughout difficult processes
4
Preventive Practice and Personal Application
Why this module matters: The most effective employee relations strategy addresses issues before they escalate, and this final module builds that preventive capability.
- Building organisational practices that reduce employee relations issues
- Training managers to handle early-stage concerns effectively
- Personal action plan for strengthening employee relations practice
Course At a Glance
| Duration | 3-5 Days |
| Format | In-person and online |
| What's Included | Workbook, practical toolkit, certificate of completion |
Common Questions
Does this course cover employment law for a specific jurisdiction?
The course covers core employment law principles applicable broadly, with practical exercises encouraging participants to apply frameworks within their own specific jurisdictional context.
Is this course suitable for managers without formal HR training?
Yes. The course is specifically designed to be accessible for line managers without formal HR backgrounds who need practical employee relations skills for their role.
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Ready to Handle Employee Relations With Confidence and Consistency?
Build practical, legally sound skills for grievances, discipline and workplace conflict.
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