This episode of the Wild Side podcast delves into the distinctive nuances of Japan and its unique approach to managing employee relations. With an astonishing 98% ethnic Japanese population, Japan's management landscape is intricate. Despite being an economic miracle in the post-World War II era, Japan has faced hurdles over the last three decades. Host Alan Wild explores the challenges of performance management and sheds light on the persisting gender equality challenges and the unique collective bargaining system. Discover how Japan's influential keiretsu, rooted in Shogun history, continues to wield global significance amid the country's evolving economic trajectory.

Key Takeaways:

• Exploring intrinsic business culture in Japan. [2:14]

• Economic and demographic data of Japan. [5:22]

• Japan’s unique employment relationship promise, trade unions, and collective bargaining structure. [7:23]

• Key issues for employee relation professionals are working hours and performance management. [12:35]

Resources: 

HR Policy Association

Alan Wild on Linkedin

[email protected] — Request the 2023 HR Policy Survey

HR Policy Upcoming Events

This is the first of two Wild Side podcasts addressing the impact of social networks on employee relations. In this episode, Host Alan Wild suggests that current internal grievance procedures are not fit for purpose in a world where employees have become used to rating their experiences in real-time using leading-edge technology. It suggests that improvements must be made in company processes but concludes they will never compete with retail and hospitality practices. The answer is to get ahead of the game by continually listening to employee voice, and predicting and addressing issues before complaints and grievances are made.

Key Takeaways: 

• Examples of when internal company grievances play out in the public domain. [1:40]

• The new world of social grievances in the US. [4:21]

• The history of traditional grievance procedures and how they are handled within an organization. [6:49]

• Socially-driven grievances put the employee in control. [8:57]

• Ten tips for mitigating the risk of employee complaints. [12:20]

Resources: 

HR Policy Association

Alan Wild on Linkedin

[email protected] — Request the 2023 HR Policy Survey

HR Policy Upcoming Events

Wild Side Episode 10 explores international trade unions, their identity, and current priorities. Employee relations professionals often engage with them for expertise in European Works Councils or as targets of global corporate campaigns. These trade unions influence policy through the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and UN systems, primarily via ITUC, ETUC, UniGlobal, and IndustriALL. Their focus includes International Framework Agreements and capacity building for the movement.

Key Takeaways: 

• What organisations make up the ILO, and what is their collective objective? [1:03]

• The ITUC is the global coordinating body of National Trade Union Federations. [3:34]

• The two most active and well-known Global Union Federations (GUFs) and their objectives. [5:02]

• International Framework Agreements and the conventions they commit to. [9:13]

• LabourStart.org is an extensive network and resource of trade union information. [12:17]

Resources: 

HR Policy Association

LabourStart

Alan Wild on Linkedin

[email protected] — Request the 2023 HR Policy Survey

HR Policy Upcoming Events

This is the second of the Wild Side podcasts’ addressing the impact of social networks on employee relations. In this episode, Host Alan Wild looks at non-traditional forms of collective action such as protests and disputes organized not through trade unions, but by employees orchestrating collective voice by leveraging social media tools. It also explores cases where employees have joined together to overturn agreements reached by untrusted trade unions. Are union-free companies immune to protests or strikes? This episode challenges outdated assumptions that haven't stood the test of time.

Key Takeaways: 

• Examples of successful socially-driven protests that affected tech giants Google and Amazon. [1:34]

• Why is socially driven collective action significant? [4:08]

• Employee voice now has multiple channels. [7:07]

• How companies can adapt to the new world of employee voice and employee listening. [11:18]

Resources: 

HR Policy Association

Alan Wild on Linkedin

[email protected] — Request the 2023 HR Policy Survey

HR Policy Upcoming Events

This new episode of The Wild Side podcast deals with Activist Capture. Host Alan Wild describes the two forms of activist capture and shares regional examples of how it might play out. The first is where low voting in Works Council ballots results in the election of members who put their own interests before those of the people they represent. A similar issue is faced where thresholds for trade union representation are very low, and militant unions secure bargaining rights for the workforce despite having few members. The phenomenon is observed in rights-based employee relations systems and is a growing issue for Tech companies with no history of works council organization or trade union membership. The second form of activist capture is where internal company issues are hijacked by militant activists for their purposes, explode out of control in social and mainstream media, and are judged in the court of public opinion.

Key Takeaways: 

• The two distinct forms of activist capture. [1:40]

• A recap of power-based countries and rights-based countries. [2:56]

• All European employees have a say in who represents them in elections. [4:21]

• Rights of Trade Union Committees in Nordic and Central and Eastern European countries. [7:37]

• Activist capture in the Tech industry in Europe. [9:28]

• Examples of socially-driven activist capture in the United States. [11:41]

Resources: 

HR Policy Association

Alan Wild on Linkedin

[email protected] — Request the 2023 HR Policy Survey

HR Policy Upcoming Events

The seventh episode in the “Wild Side '' focuses on works councils. Information and consultation bodies exist in many countries in some form, this episode concentrates on works councils or trade union committees with information and consultation rights in Europe. We discuss why establishing constructive relationships with bodies that represent employee interests is fundamental to European employee relations. A short example of managing a restructuring exercise across Europe sets out information and consultation and the penalties that can apply if the company gets it wrong. 

Key Takeaways: 

• The history of works councils in Europe. [:12]

• Common misconceptions about works councils and the common threads that bind them. [2:10]

• Membership guidelines for works councils. [5:14]

• Power and penalties of works councils. [8:10]

• An example of how works councils and trade unions can affect workplace restructuring. [9:44]

Resources: 

HR Policy Association

Alan Wild on Linkedin

[email protected] 

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

[email protected] — 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

[email protected] — 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

[email protected] 

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

[email protected] 

HR Policy Upcoming Events