A Walk On The Wild Side - Managing employee relations in global and millennial times ... 10 minutes at a time – Détails, épisodes et analyse

This episode of the Wild Side podcast is a national profile of Poland. The title tells the story of Poland since 1989 and looks at how a country in economic crisis in the 1990s turned into one of Europe’s success models and did so on its own terms. When people talk about employee relations in Europe, they often mention works councils, powerful unions with political clout, and sectoral bargaining. Poland is distinctly different, and this episode asks how, why, and how to succeed in employee relations in the country.

Key Takeaways:

• Poland’s economic and demographic data since WW2. [2:59]

• Poland’s history. [4:47]

• Employee Relations in Poland. [7:11]

• Trade unions and works councils in Poland. [10:09]

• Restructuring in Poland is a simple process. [11:10]

Resources: 

HR Policy Association

Alan Wild on Linkedin

awild@hrpolicy.org — Request the 2023 HR Policy Survey

HR Policy Upcoming Events

In this episode of the Wild Side podcast we look at the merits of sectoral collective bargaining, how the Global Employee Relations Leader should view sectoral deals in the countries they cover, and the questions they should be asking when faced with mandatory wage awards. Bargaining at the multi-company level, often supported by legislative extensions of the outcomes to all employees, has long been a feature of Western European and South American employee relations. The system came under pressure during the 2007-2008 financial crisis when steps were taken to maintain the system by allowing companies in difficulty to derogate from sectoral agreements they couldn't afford.

Key Takeaways:

• How to identify power-based and rights-based countries. [2:07]

• Understanding erga omnes extension provisions of OECD countries. [4:32]

• Nordic countries' agreements are not extended by law. [6:42]

• Germany’s dual system of employee relations. [8:58]

• Sectoral collective bargaining agreements in Latin America and the United States. [12:13]

Resources: 

HR Policy Association

Alan Wild on Linkedin

awild@hrpolicy.org — Request the 2023 HR Policy Survey

HR Policy Upcoming Events

This episode of the Wild Side podcast delves into the intricacies of Mexico, shedding light on its trade unions, labor codes, and recent developments impacting employee relations. In a staggering shift, more than 90% of Mexico's industrial companies were under collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) before May 2023. However, by June 1st, this figure plummeted to less than 20%. Reuters reports that a staggering 139,000 CBAs dissolved in May 2023 alone. Leaving companies used to years of so-called “Protection Agreements” or sweetheart deals with “white“ unions, union-free. Starting in the auto sector, and aided by US colleagues and the USMCA treaty, Mexico’s more militant unions are on the organizing trail. Host Alan Wild unravels the events leading to this significant change, offers insights into the future of trade unions, and explores the considerations companies may be contemplating.

Key Takeaways: 

• A data snippet of Mexico’s economy and demographics. [1:51]

• Current events impacting Mexico’s trade unions. [4:30]

• Mexican labor codes and regulations. [6:43]

• A brief history of Mexican trade unions. [9:18]

• Pertinent information for companies with employees in Mexico. [12:38]

Resources: 

HR Policy Association

Alan Wild on Linkedin

awild@hrpolicy.org — Request the 2023 HR Policy Survey

HR Policy Upcoming Events

The fifth episode in the “Wild Side” deals with European Works Councils or EWCs. European Works Councils have become a familiar part of the employee relations infrastructure in Europe over the last 25 years. This podcast describes the evolution of EWC law and practice up to the current proposals from the European Commission for a major revision. Despite employer fears when the laws were passed, most companies reached voluntary agreements prior to the law taking effect. Companies have adapted well and describe most EWCs today as constructive. That assessment may be revised when the laws are likely to be revised during 2024.

Key Takeaways: 

• The European Works Council Directive. [1:30]

• National laws must comply with the European Union Directive. [4:57]

• Requirements for establishing an EWC Directive in a company. [6:13]

• Definitions within the EWC environment. [9:40]

• Important elements of EWC agreements. [12:02]

• Transnational events and Select committees. [13:52]

Resources: 

HR Policy Association

Alan Wild on Linkedin

awild@hrpolicy.org — Request the 2023 HR Policy Survey

HR Policy Upcoming Events

The fourth episode of the “Wild Side” details the anatomy of a corporate campaign, what they are, how they are organised, and how to identify a company's vulnerabilities. National corporate campaigns began in 1899. Today, global campaigns go viral with the help of social media. Tools of the trade are not strikes or workplace labour sanctions but actions that damage a company’s reputation in the eyes of customers, legislators, politicians, shareholders, and the public. Notable real-world examples are “Killer Coke”, “Rotten Apple”, “The Real Toy Story”, “Just Stop It”, and “Make Amazon Pay”.

Key Takeaways: 

• Two examples of global corporate campaigns targeting and linking company vulnerability. [1:22]

• Origins of a global campaign and common tactics intended to damage a company’s reputation. [5:54]

• Global corporate campaign design and risk profiles. [8:48]

• Unpacking Saul Alinsky’s Rules for Radicals. [10:38]

• How companies can protect themselves from global corporate campaigns. [12:25]

Resources: 

HR Policy Association

Alan Wild on Linkedin

awild@hrpolicy.org 

HR Policy Upcoming Events

What Kind of Company Are You Keeping?

Rules for Radicals by Saul Alinsky

This episode of the “Wild Side” presents an overview of the international framework for employee relations. Why do the employment laws in every country differ slightly but cover the same issues? It is because the framework for international labour law comes from the International Labour Organization (ILO). 190 ILO Conventions guide national lawmakers. Initially intended for governments, ILO Conventions have found their way into employee relations work in international companies. Host Alan Wild explains how the international framework for employee relations developed and which organisations are behind it all.

Key Takeaways: 

• The ILO: Its primary functions and why it was established. [:57]

• The eight fundamental Conventions and three areas of current focus of the ILO. [3:12]

• How do ILO Conventions become adopted by companies? [6:49]

• Ten Principles of the United Nations Global Compact [8:36]

• Laws and directives of the EU and the European Court of Justice. [11:30]

• OECD guidelines for multinational companies. [13:08]

Resources: 

HR Policy Association

Alan Wild on Linkedin

awild@hrpolicy.org 

HR Policy Upcoming Events

This episode of the “Wild Side” examines the key concepts that enable the international Employee Relations Specialist to tackle issues with empathy and success. Much of the day-to-day work involves jumping from country to country and dealing with multiple issues in different contexts. There are some ideas that make issues easier to understand and resolve. Is the country system power-based or rights-based? How mature are the employee relations? And, how culture matters and understanding risk play an important part in the role.  

Key Takeaways: 

• Power and Rights: The three types of systems. [1:27]

• Maturity and Immaturity: How established is the HR discipline in a country? [5:55]

• Culture and its influence on bargaining styles. [8:17]

• Risk: Internal and External. [10:02]

Resources: 

HR Policy Association

Alan Wild on Linkedin

awild@hrpolicy.org 

HR Policy Upcoming Events

American Game Japanese Rules on YouTube

Getting to Si, Ja, Oui, and Da by Erin Neyer

Alan Wild, author and narrator of A Walk on the Wild Side, is a leading expert and practitioner in global employee relations. Over a long career, Alan led global employee relations for Guinness, IBM, and Amazon; he was a member of the Governing Body of the International Labour Organization and later its CHRO; and has conducted consulting assignments in more than 100 countries and for many of the 400 CHRO members of the HR Policy Association.

The ”Wild Side” was first released in 2020 and became an immediate success with more than 6,000 regular listeners in 60 countries. After a three-year pause and having hung up his cleats with Amazon, Alan is re-launching this new and updated version of the podcast to cover the large and complex landscape of modern employee relations.

The first episode of the new series looks at how a role that barely existed 30 years ago has become an essential part of business success in the modern world. It discusses the business, political, legal, and social reasons that make the successful management of international employee relations such a key role today.  

Key Takeaways: 

• The modern definition of employee relations. [2:01]

• How the role of the global employee relations executive was born. [5:22]

• Four massive shifts changed employee relations forever. [6:49]

• What to expect in future episodes of A Walk on the Wild Side. [9:40]

Resources: 

HR Policy Association

Alan Wild on Linkedin

awild@hrpolicy.org 

HR Policy Upcoming Events

Welcome to the Wild Side, a podcast that discusses the world of modern employee relations ten minutes at a time. This podcast is the last in the series curriculum for managing employee relations in global and millennial times. In this episode, host Alan Wild discusses how companies structure and manage the functions of Employee Relations. Alan is the Global Affairs Director of the HR Policy Association, the leading voice of chief human resources offices today.

With the increase in offshoring to new parts of the world, the emergence of corporate campaigns and work of the UN, NGOs, and global trade unions, the European model of employee relations went global. More and more companies started to wonder how the role should be organized and how much they should spend on the function. We began to put together advice on structuring and managing the function, irrespective of budgets, or reporting requirements. These are the top tips we have crafted for the role of Employee Relations Professionals. Remember, the ability to pick up issues and resolve them before they escalate is the true name of the employee relations game today.

Key Takeaways: 

• Tip #1 — Visibility: Demonstrating the business impact of employee relations. [2:03]

• Tip #2 — Trust: Developing trust between HR, the Finance Department, and the country’s General Manager are essential. [4:24]

• Tip #3 — Annual Risk Profile: The ability to identify, explain, and quantify employee relations risk to the business in a credible way. [4:54]

• Tip #4 — Employee Relations Plan: Plans, priorities, and anticipation of fixing problems. [7:54]

• Tip #5 — Have an expert network. [8:51]

• Tip #6 — Be invested personally and keep abreast of current events and company developments. [10:53]

• Tip #7 — Have a plan based on people’s roles, needs, and expectations. [13:29]

• Tip #8 — Communications: Sharing information with traditional as well as non-traditional workers i.e. supply chain, and gig workers. [14:29]

• Tip #9 — Listen and respond to employees. [15:08]

• Tip #10 — Awareness: Dealing with emerging issues early, means offering professional support, not criticism, and blame. [16:04]

Resources: 

HR Policy Association

Alan Wild on Linkedin

awild@hrpolicy.org 

HR Policy Upcoming Events

Welcome to the Wild Side, a podcast that discusses the world of modern employee relations ten minutes at a time. This podcast contains resources to help you be the best Employee Relations Specialist you can be. In this episode, host Alan Wild introduces guest host, Tom Hayes, who is an integral part of the knowledge base behind this series of Employee Relations related podcasts to explain how he maintains his expertise. Alan is the Global Affairs Director of the HR Policy Association, the leading voice of chief human resources offices today.

As an Employee Relations professional, how do you keep up to date with the vast amount of global information in the labor relations and trade union industry? With all the information available, how do you organize the data to make the best use of your time? If you have been in search of the best resources and would like to better organize your information gathering process this episode with Tom Hayes, an industry expert is a must-listen.

Key Takeaways: 

• PATCO: An event that changed the face of US Labor Relations forever. [2:08]

• A brief account of offshoring in the media. [3:54]

• Resources the experts use to stay current in matters regarding labor relations. [5:21]

• The time it takes to stay informed and organize the data is minimal. [11:36]

Resources: 

HR Policy Association

Alan Wild on Linkedin

awild@hrpolicy.org 

HR Policy Upcoming Events

@TomHayes on Twitter

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