Employee Relations in aNon-Union Environment

Chapter 19

What is “Fairness”?Define fair…

What is “fair” is not always:•Popular•Legal•Ethical•According to procedure

“Fairness is in the eye of the beholder!”

MAN 3301:Management of Human Resources

Chapter 19

What is “Fairness”?What can you do to emphasize “fair treatment”?

Building 2-way communication•Speak Up! Programs•Opinion Surveys•Top-Down Programs

Programs must exhibit engagement, explanation,& expectation clarity.

MAN 3301:Management of Human Resources

Chapter 19

What is “Fairness”?Discipline – The most common employee complaint regarding fair treatment is differential discipline.

A common problem is supervisors who use discipline in retaliation for past EEOC/Harassment charges.

MAN 3301:Management of Human Resources

Chapter 19

What is “Fairness”?Discipline WITHOUT punishment – Attempts to “fix” problem behavior in a non-punitive manner by alerting the employee to problem behavior and providing a way to fix it.

FOSA – Facts, Objectives, Solutions, ActionsDiscipline WITH punishment –A program where problem behavior is punished by a series of progressively serious discipline.

Example – UCF USPS Disciplinary Action

MAN 3301:Management of Human Resources

Chapter 19

What is “Fairness”?The “Hot Stove” Rule – Discipline should be directed against actions, not people.

•It burns immediately•It gives a warning•It burns consistently•It burns everyone the same way

MAN 3301:Management of Human Resources

Chapter 19

What is “Fairness”?Dismissals – Employment “At Will” says that either the employee or employer may terminate the relationship at any time for any reason.

FL is an “At Will” state.

1. Termination for Cause2. Layoff

MAN 3301:Management of Human Resources

Chapter 19

What is “Fairness”?Dismissals – Layoff guidelines:

• ID objectives and constraints• Form a downsizing team• Address legal issues• Plan action to maintain morale• Address security issues

MAN 3301:Management of Human Resources

Chapter 19

What is “Fairness”?Dismissals – Employment “At Will” says that either the employee or employer may terminate the relationship at any time for any reason.

FL is an “At Will” state.

1. Termination for Cause2. Layoff

MAN 3301:Management of Human Resources