THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS ACT

The National Labor Relations Act has been enacted to protect the rights of employers and employees. The act curtails certain management and private sector labor practices that harm business, economy, and the welfare of workers.

Federal law guarantees the right of employees to join or form a union. The law also prohibits discrimination against the employee for joining a union. Companies can take some proactive steps, however, to ensure that the workplace doesn’t get unionized.

Organizations that follow fair and ethical business policies and procedures will be able to avoid getting into trouble with the law. This can help prevent the need for union involvement. It is important that companies take steps to establish a workplace that is not vulnerable to unions.

From the very beginning of employment, organizations should let the employees know that they are pro-worker. When employees feel that they have a voice that can represent them at work, they are unlikely to use the services of a union.

A Fair Workplace

Managers and supervisors can have an open-door policy. This can help the employees raise concerns and issues without any fear of retaliation from the management.

Value the work of employees. A competitive pay practice that recognizes the contribution of employees will go a long way in ensuring that employees avoid unions when they want to air their grievances.

Companies will need to take a look at employee satisfaction levels. Dissatisfied employees approach unions to solve their problems. This can be easily avoided if the management is responsive to the needs of the employee.

One of the important things that all organizations need to do is to survey the happiness and satisfaction of employees in the workplace. A questionnaire can be sent to employees for this purpose.

The answers to the questions will help in determining whether the employees are happy and satisfied. Employees who work in an organization that is fair in all its dealings have been found to be happy and satisfied with their work.

Open Lines of Communication 

Companies should take proactive steps so that employees don’t feel the need for union representation. It is important to have an interactive communication system in place. This will help companies know what the employees feel about certain issues. A good communication setup will also give employees a voice to express their opinions about things that affect them.

Organizations should take responsibility for their decisions. They need to ensure that they have an effective grievance redressal system in place so that employees can voice their concerns. Effective communication processes should be determined and implemented.

Positive Labor Relations Practice

Companies should develop a plan that helps build and sustain a positive workplace environment. This can be done by determining the extent of positive morale at the workplace. When employees feel that their work is appreciated, it will help in building the right type of work environment.

Building a positive work environment is important for the success of any organization. Great industrial relations between the employer and employee will eliminate the need for a union. A positive work environment creates happy employees. Happy employees are efficient. This significantly improves productivity.

Compliance with the Law

Employers will be able to prevent unions from interfering in their business if they are compliant with the many legal procedures and policies. This will help them stay out of legal trouble.

Companies should start working on a positive employee relations program and avoid any kind of unfair labor practice. The management needs to be proactive and listen to the grievances of each employee. Meet the employees so that you are aware of their issues.

Companies that are fair and transparent in their recruitment and compensation processes will be able to avoid complaints of discrimination. Implement a fair recruitment and compensation plan. A positive and pro-active approach can go a long way in avoiding unions.

All correct labor and industrial processes and practices should be followed. Under no circumstances should the management follow any kind of unfair labor practices. Non-compliance with the many provisions of the law will make them susceptible to union activity.

Following correct labor practices is the best way to avoid unions at the workplace. When the management follows all correct practices, the employees will not have any kind of work-related grievance.

A Good Grievance Process

Employee grievances are inevitable. The best thing that a company can do is to have a good grievance redressal system. Employees can make use of this formal system to make complaints. It is best to include the grievance process in the employee handbooks and manuals.

A good grievance process ensures that employees voices are heard at work. All grievances should be investigated and resolved in a fair manner. No employee should be discriminated for making a complaint.

The employee should know who to contact if they have any issues or concerns. Conflict resolution should be given top priority. Conflicts that are left unresolved can lead to other serious problems and this can affect the entire work environment.

Training and Education

Managers and supervisors should be trained to handle employee grievances. Training in positive leadership techniques will help in avoiding conflicts. A good internal dispute resolution system will help reduce employee turnover.

When the managers are trained, they will be able to explain unpopular decisions of the management in a transparent manner. The managers will be able to explain the necessity for taking unpopular decisions.

The worst thing that the management can do is to hide the reasons for the decisions that are unpopular with the employees. If the decisions are not explained properly, it can lead to speculations and this can be bad for the work environment.

All employees want to be treated in a fair and transparent manner. If they are treated fairly, they will be willing to understand the reason for unpopular decisions.

The managers and supervisors can highlight the benefits of working in the organization. Job security, benefits, and pay can be highlighted to remind employees that they don’t need the services of a union to get what they want.

Most employees are happy if the recruitment and compensation practices are fair and transparent. This aspect should be highlighted by the managers and supervisors. When employees become aware that the recruitment and compensation practices of the company are among the best in the industry they will avoid union activity.

Recognize Employee Contributions

Employees become disgruntled when their contribution is not recognized. A disgruntled employee joins or forms a union. Employees whose contribution is recognized and appreciated is far more likely to be happy and confident in their work relationships.

Happy employees work harder and are the biggest asset for any organization. A simple gesture of appreciation will help build loyalty and reduce employee turnover. Appreciating and addressing employee concerns can help avoid union activity in your business.

Managers of companies that are proactive don’t wait to hear the rumblings of discontent. The open lines of communication enable them to know about any issues and concerns that concern employees in the initial stages itself. This will help them solve the problem immediately.

Employees appreciate companies that take a pro-active approach to their issues and concerns. Companies that address the issues of employees immediately will be able to prevent unions from ever getting a foothold into their business.