Employee Relations: An International Journal

Lesley Mayne; Olga Tregaskis; Chris Brewster

1996 Employee Relations: An International Journal

doi: 10.1108/01425459610116447

Uses evidence from both quantitative and qualitative research carried out across Europe to show that, while the profile of high and low users of part‐time and short‐term employment is country specific, is concentrated in the service and public sectors and is correlated with growth and unionization, there is a link between these forms of flexibility and a strategic approach to human resources management. Proposes that previous commentators, who have argued that there is no such link, have often used unrealistically restrictive models of strategy formulation and that a more comprehensive view indicates that flexibility is being used strategically.

Suzanne Gagnon

1996 Employee Relations: An International Journal

doi: 10.1108/01425459610116456

Under the British Government’s current plan, the devolution of authority for civil service pay will be complete in 1996, with all departments and agencies receiving control over the pay of their employees. The process of pay delegation began some years ago with selected Next Steps executive agencies. What lessons does the progress of the Conservative administration’s pay reform programme hold for the future? In examining the success that the government has had so far with delegation of pay to executive agencies, centres on primary research involving a postal survey of executive agencies and in‐depth interviews with several agency human resources directors. Provides an insight into the shape that pay reform is likely to take as further devolution occurs. Reform is unlikely to be either as rapid, coherent or concerted as the government would like. Concludes that while there is little question that change is occurring, its pace has not kept up with the government’s deadlines, and its form is only partially in line with the government’s stated objectives. Identifies several factors explaining the slow progress, most importantly: the internal inconsistencies among the government’s pay reform objectives; the uncertain environment in which many agencies are operating; agencies’ lack of resources; and a failure to take account of the institutional context.

Tan Chwee‐Huat

1996 Employee Relations: An International Journal

doi: 10.1108/01425459610116465

Examines four recent employee relations issues in Singapore. These include dependency on foreign workers, an ageing workforce, impact of companies relocating their labour‐intensive industries to other countries, and problems related to privatization of government‐linked companies. The employment of foreign workers is constrained by an imposed levy and quota. Extending the retirement age provides jobs for older workers. However, employers perceive them as less productive and more expensive unless the wage system can be modified. Workers made redundant by company relocation are the less skilled. Proposes that the solution lies in retraining and upgrading the skills of workers.

Clare Kelliher

1996 Employee Relations: An International Journal

doi: 10.1108/01425459610116474

Seeks to evaluate the policy of competitive tendering for ancillary services in the National Health Service, by reference to a number of case studies of catering services. Argues that the success of the policy was dependent on certain assumptions being met about the extent of competitive pressure and the potential for savings, largely labour cost savings, to be made. Shows by case studies that these conditions frequently did not occur and hence the policy was flawed. Furthermore, even where these conditions did occur, the evidence shows that a range of other factors influenced the extent to which labour cost savings could be made.