What is Employee Relations?

Put simply, employee relations (ER) is the management of the relationship between employers and employees. It focuses on both individual and collective relationships in the workplace with an increasing emphasis on the connection between managers and their team members. 

Employee relations involves:

• Governing the employee-employer relationship to form mutual respect, trust, and appreciation.  
• Building a strong company culture and healthy work environment.
• Advocating for employees, supporting them, and addressing their concerns and conflicts.

In other words, employee relations cover the contractual, practical, as well as physical, and emotional dimensions of the employee-employer relationship. It’s a crucial factor when it comes to overall organizational performance because good employee relations management translates into increased employee wellbeing and productivity.

Employee relations can refer to either an organization’s program or policies or a team of people that nurture the employer-employee relationship.

Employee relations is typically a Human Resources department function. It can fall under the general duties of an HR professional, or there may be a manager or team dedicated to ER.