A Highly Interactive Training Course On

Labour Relations

Managing in a Unionised Environment

Labour Relations
Course Schedule

CLASSROOM

10-14 Aug 2026
London
$5,950
09-13 Nov 2026
Dubai
$5,950
15-19 Mar 2027
Dubai
$5,950
09-13 Aug 2027
London
$5,950
08-12 Nov 2027
Dubai
$5,950

ONLINE

07-11 Sep 2026
Online
$4,950
25-29 Jan 2027
Online
$4,950
10-14 May 2027
Online
$4,950
06-10 Sep 2027
Online
$4,950
Certificate
  • Coventry Academy Certificate of Completion for delegates who attend and complete the training course
  • The HRCI Approved Provider Seal along with the corresponding credit hours will be reflected in the Certificate of Completion

Training Overview

Training Overview

The Labour Relations Training Course equips managers, supervisors, and HR professionals with the skills to effectively manage employees in a unionised work environment. Positive employee relations are critical for preventing demotivation, conflict escalation, and disengagement. By fostering trust-based relationships, organizations can address grievances fairly, quickly, and at the lowest level possible, ensuring productive outcomes while supporting employee well-being.

This course explores the roles of managers, unions, and employee representatives in cultivating a collaborative workplace. Participants will learn strategies for building trust, managing performance, resolving conflicts, and negotiating agreements that enhance productivity, morale, and organizational performance.

Key Focus Areas of this Course:

  • Building trust and collaboration in a unionised workplace.
  • Understanding the role of unions and employee representatives in maintaining product
  • Identifying employee interests and strategies to engage, motivate, and coach effectively.
  • Recognizing rights, setting boundaries, and establishing organizational obligations.
  • Managing discipline, performance, and absenteeism constructively.
  • Negotiation, mediation, and conflict resolution skills for unionised environments.
  • Handling grievances, settlements, and arbitration to minimize workplace disruption.

Participants will gain practical insights into creating a positive, fair, and compliant work culture, even in complex unionised settings.

What are the goals?

By this Labour Relations Training Course, delegates will be able to manage unionised environments strategically and constructively.

By the end of this training course, participants will be able to: 

  • Understand the strategic importance of effective employee relations.
  • Recognize the roles and responsibilities of unions and employee representatives.
  • Apply techniques to enhance employee engagement and trust.
  • Develop performance management systems that deliver results while maintaining fairness.
  • Utilize mediation, bargaining, and collective agreements effectively.
  • Investigate, handle, and resolve grievances, settlements, and arbitration cases.
  • Implement conflict management strategies to maintain a productive workplace.

Delegates will leave the course ready to handle unionised workforce challenges with confidence, improving organizational outcomes and employee satisfaction.

Who is this Training Course for?

This Unionised Workplace Training Course is suitable for professionals navigating employee relations in unionised environments, particularly those responsible for managing teams and ensuring compliance with labor laws and collective agreements.

This training course is suitable to a wide range of professionals but will greatly benefit: 

  • Managers new to unionised workplaces who need practical guidance.
  • Front-line supervisors and team leaders responsible for fostering positive employee relations.
  • HR supervisors and Labour Relations Leaders overseeing skilled trades and unionised staff.
  • HR specialists managing employee relations, negotiation, and mediation processes.
  • HR administrators supporting employee relations and performance management initiatives.
  • Any professional responsible for creating a fair, collaborative, and productive unionised work environment.

Participants will gain actionable strategies to manage unionised employees effectively and support positive organizational culture.

How will this Training Course be Presented?

The Labour Relations Training Course uses proven adult learning methods to ensure engagement and retention. Delegates will participate in interactive discussions, group exercises, role plays, questionnaires, and video-based learning activities. These activities provide practical insights and allow participants to practice conflict resolution, negotiation, and performance management techniques in a safe, supportive environment.

Facilitated by experienced instructors, the course blends theoretical frameworks with real-world applications. Delegates will analyze case studies, explore workplace scenarios, and develop practical approaches for managing grievances, union interactions, and industrial action. By the end of the course, participants will leave with the confidence and skills to handle unionised workforces effectively, ensuring compliance, collaboration, and productivity.

The Course Content

Day One: The Importance of Effective Employee Relations
  • Why Workplace Relations Matter
  • Industrial and Employee Relations – Differences and Similarities
  • Features of the Unionised Workplace – What Role Do Unions Play?
  • Building Culture in a Unionised Environment
  • Defining Acceptable Norms and Mores
  • Collective Agreements and Terminology
Day Two: Interests, Rights and Power 
  • Interests – Motivation, Engagement, Trust
  • Rights – Establishing Boundaries, Rights and Obligations
  • Power – Discipline, Accountability and Boundary Enforcement
  • Bargained Rights vs. Residual Rights
  • Making and Enforcing Rules
  • Organisational Policies and Procedures
Day Three: Performance Management
  • Creating a Performance Based Culture
  • Setting Expectations and Performance Standards
  • Responsibilities of the Union and Management 
  • Discipline, Grievances and Investigations
  • Coaching and Assistance to Improve Performance
  • Managing Absenteeism
Day Four: Dispute Resolution - Handling Industrial Action
  • Nature of Conflict
  • Types of Industrial Action
  • Mediation and Conciliation
  • Negotiating
  • Management Responses
  • Rights to Dismiss and Discipline
Day Five: Alternatives to Unions
  • Importance of the Employee Voice
  • Joint Consultative Committees
  • Employee Representatives
  • Forums and Quality Circles
  • Partnerships
  • Role of Legislation
Accreditation

Providers and Associations

Anderson
Anderson
Aztech Training
Aztech Training