The identification of critical conditions related harmonious individual labour relationships

Abstract

Harmonious employer and employee relations form the basis of a productive long term employment relationship, although not always prescribed by legislation, it becomes imperative for both parties in the employment relationship to strive towards the establishment of primary generic harmonious labour relations conditions. Through empirical research, the study seeks to identify those conditions that employers and employees should observe in order for both parties to maintain a harmonious labour relationship. These conditions, it is suggested, are critical conditions that reduce the manifestation of negative outcomes associated with the inherently conflicting needs of the interacting parties in an employment relationship. The study employed a qualitative method in gathering data, where brainstorming sessions were conducted with labour relations Post Graduate students to identify the initial thirty six conditions, followed by the administration of a qualitative questionnaire to a panel of experts to identify the ten critical harmonious conditions in a labour relationship.