MS-24 june 2007
MS-24 : EMPLOYMENT RELATIONS
1. Briefly discuss the levels and forms of WPM in India. Discuss the implementation of WPM in industry.
2. Describe registration and recognition of Trade Unions. Briefly discuss the methods of verification of union membership and state the advantages and disadvantages of these methods.
3. Discuss the various approaches to industrial relations and their.relevance.
4. Describe the concept and process of collective bargaining. Describe the emerging trends of collective bargaining, with few examples.
5. Write short notes on any threeof the following :
(a) Conflict vs. Cooperation
(b) Misconduct
(c) Lay-off
(d) Red Hot Stove Rule
(e) Structure of employers' organisations in India
6. Read the following case carefully and answer the questions given at the end.
ADJUSTMENT PROBLEM
Twenty female employees of a large company were grouped together daily in an area measuring forty feet by forty feet to perform semi-skilled assembly work. Though the layout was far from ideal, it was accepted as "livable" at least as temporary quarters until construction of the new manufacturing facility was compl eted, and these women enjoyed their work. Their pleasure came rnostly from the fact that they could talk fleely about any subject that came to mind and still be able to do their jobs. They worked elbow to elbow and rarely failed to assemble their daily quota. When the new manufacturing facility finally opened, the women were assigned to an 'area several times larger than their former quarters. The new plant was equipped with superior lighting, water fountains, windows and piped-in music. On the surface, these work conditions appeared ideal, no employee sat less than six feet away from any other. Management, however, became perplexed over the performance of this group of women after a few weeks in the new facility. Absenteeism increased, production lagged, complaints and grievances were numerous, and two of the women quit their jobs.
In a closed door confer ence with the Production Supervisor, the Plant Engineer and the Manufacturing Manager, the Personnel Director voiced his opinion about the unforeseen problems in the assembly department. In his opinion the women missed the personal contact with each other, missed the continuous conversation and other
accustomed forms of social interaction and basically were resisting the change to the new location. The Personnel Director recommended that the Plant Engineer should do
something about redesigning the layout to bring the women closer together even if it meant spending several thousand rupees to do it.
Questions :
(a) Analyse the problem in this case.
(b) If you were the Personnel Director how would you have dealt with the grievance of the workers ?
(c) If the employees were men, would the same situation have arisen ? Why or why not ?
