The Department of Industrial Psychology and
People Management
HRM2BB2
INTRODUCING SOME FUNDAMENTALS OF
EMPLOYMENT RELATIONS (ER)
BY DR REWARD UTETE
,OBJECTIVES
At the end of this Learning unit, students should be able to:
Explain the concept and nature of “employment relations” and the way it has evolved fr
traditionally known “industrial relations”;
Describe and illustrate the implications of different ideological, theoretical perspectives
conflict/common-ground dynamics in employment relations;
Explain the multidimensional nature and societal embeddedness of the contemporary e
relationship, and show its relevance for everyday practice in employment relations
Differentiate between a tripartite and multipartite perspective of employment relations s
and very briefly explain who the role-players and stakeholders are, and why they are im
Explain at least four “key ingredients” that make employment relations dynamic
Demonstrate the implications of the nature and importance of perceptions of justice for
and practice of employment relations
Explain how the dynamics of employment relations at organisational level may interact/
with other environmental variables or factors.
,INTRODUCTION
South Africa is the biggest largest economy in Africa. South Africa's GDP amounted to ju
billion U.S. dollars in 2024, the highest in Africa. Egypt followed, with a GDP worth aroun
billion U.S. dollars and ranked as the second-highest on the continent. Algeria ranked thi
about 266.8 billion U.S. dollars. These African economies are among some of the fastest
economies worldwide (Statista, 2024).
Real gross domestic product (GDP) in the fourth quarter was R1 158 billion in the last qu
2023, but still below the peak of R1 161 billion recorded in the third quarter of 2022 (Sta
It is known as a manufacturing hub, it is the most industrialized, technologically advance
diversified economy on the African continent.
South Africa is an upper-middle-income economy – one of only eight such countries in Af
The transport, storage & communication industry made the biggest positive impact, exp
2,9% and contributing 0,2 of a percentage point to the GDP growth.
, INTRODUCTION cont’
• South Africa is weakened by various challenges such as:
High crime rate (refer to the stats by SAPS -2024). In 2024, South Africa had a crime ind
which is to be considered high. South Africa has the highest crime index in Africa and ran
fifth most dangerous country globally according to the same index (Statista, 2024).
Poor security
Inequality -Female workers earn approximately 30% less, on average, than male workers
report reveals that males are more likely to be employed and have relatively better-payi
compared to females.
High unemployment rate - High unemployment is at 32.9% (2024). The largest industry
employment gains were recorded in Trade(109 000), Manufacturing (99 000), and Privat
• Although the country has progressive regulations, inefficient
households (44 000) (Stats SA, 2024).
implementation hinder the effectiveness of these regulations.
People Management
HRM2BB2
INTRODUCING SOME FUNDAMENTALS OF
EMPLOYMENT RELATIONS (ER)
BY DR REWARD UTETE
,OBJECTIVES
At the end of this Learning unit, students should be able to:
Explain the concept and nature of “employment relations” and the way it has evolved fr
traditionally known “industrial relations”;
Describe and illustrate the implications of different ideological, theoretical perspectives
conflict/common-ground dynamics in employment relations;
Explain the multidimensional nature and societal embeddedness of the contemporary e
relationship, and show its relevance for everyday practice in employment relations
Differentiate between a tripartite and multipartite perspective of employment relations s
and very briefly explain who the role-players and stakeholders are, and why they are im
Explain at least four “key ingredients” that make employment relations dynamic
Demonstrate the implications of the nature and importance of perceptions of justice for
and practice of employment relations
Explain how the dynamics of employment relations at organisational level may interact/
with other environmental variables or factors.
,INTRODUCTION
South Africa is the biggest largest economy in Africa. South Africa's GDP amounted to ju
billion U.S. dollars in 2024, the highest in Africa. Egypt followed, with a GDP worth aroun
billion U.S. dollars and ranked as the second-highest on the continent. Algeria ranked thi
about 266.8 billion U.S. dollars. These African economies are among some of the fastest
economies worldwide (Statista, 2024).
Real gross domestic product (GDP) in the fourth quarter was R1 158 billion in the last qu
2023, but still below the peak of R1 161 billion recorded in the third quarter of 2022 (Sta
It is known as a manufacturing hub, it is the most industrialized, technologically advance
diversified economy on the African continent.
South Africa is an upper-middle-income economy – one of only eight such countries in Af
The transport, storage & communication industry made the biggest positive impact, exp
2,9% and contributing 0,2 of a percentage point to the GDP growth.
, INTRODUCTION cont’
• South Africa is weakened by various challenges such as:
High crime rate (refer to the stats by SAPS -2024). In 2024, South Africa had a crime ind
which is to be considered high. South Africa has the highest crime index in Africa and ran
fifth most dangerous country globally according to the same index (Statista, 2024).
Poor security
Inequality -Female workers earn approximately 30% less, on average, than male workers
report reveals that males are more likely to be employed and have relatively better-payi
compared to females.
High unemployment rate - High unemployment is at 32.9% (2024). The largest industry
employment gains were recorded in Trade(109 000), Manufacturing (99 000), and Privat
• Although the country has progressive regulations, inefficient
households (44 000) (Stats SA, 2024).
implementation hinder the effectiveness of these regulations.
