Contemporary Employment Relations 2e

Contemporary Employment Relations: A Critical Introduction offers an original, accessible, and critical approach to understanding employment relations. Based on up-to-date research studies, it considers recent developments in employment relations, defined as the way in which employment relationships are regulated, experienced, and contested. A thematic approach to the subject helps to demonstrate the contemporary relevance of employment relations, enabling students to develop an appropriate level of knowledge and understanding of this key area of economic, social, and political life. The book is packed with up-to-date case studies to show how theory applies to real-life examples, from Royal Mail to McDonalds, Kettle Chips and Ryanair. * The text employs a thematic approach, which provides a much broader coverage of employment relations than conventional texts. * Adopts a critical approach to employment relations: rather than simply addressing the regulation of the employment relationship, this book looks at how the employment relationship is experienced and contested. * A stimulating range of case studies are provided via 'Insight into Practice' boxes, enabling the reader to link theory with practice.New to this edition * This second edition contains 'International Perspective' boxes, which place employment relations in a 21st century global context. * 'Legislation and Policy' boxes ensure students are up-to-date with the fast-changing and complex politico-legal framework. * Migration is now covered in chapter 2; coverage of this has also been expanded in chapters 6 on representation and 7 on minimum wage, bringing the book completely up-to-date with current issues. * Chapter 6 on representation has been revised to incorporate the new modes of union representation, including e-unionism. * Covers the latest developments in legislation and policy including the 2009 Equality Bill. * Diagrams have been introduced into the new edition together with increased numbers of tables, providing a lively visual presentation of facts and figures