During the past couple of years of financial uncertainty in the business world resulting from the credit crunch and consequent lack of both lending and spending, some HR payroll teams within companies have lived in fear of the threat of strike action by their employees, with belts being tightened and management expecting more staff to go the extra mile in order to stay afloat and prosper in flat marketplaces.
However, trends remain optimistic that the vast majority of businesses and organisations could manage to work through any potential issues that may arise with their staff, as there exists an atmosphere of solidarity rather than opposition within many companies. There is a feeling between both parties of everyone doing their bits and weathering economic storms together, with employees even recognising the challenges facing their employers and being satisfied to sacrifice in order to pull weight and retain employment. As John Taylor, Chief Executive of ACAS said:
“There will not be a Winter of Discontent. We don’t expect a millpond, but neither do we expect a raging sea”.
This sentiment may come as something of a relief to HR payroll professionals who might have been sensing undercurrents of unsettlement amongst their team members. However, whilst the Confederation of British Industry has been pressing the Government for tougher regulations in relation to unions calling strikes, the threat still looms that any major increases in interest rates that will hit people directly in their personal pockets may tip the balance if staff are not even receiving minimum inflationary pay rises.
At Moorepay, our HR payroll experts remain at hand to advise companies on all aspects of avoiding potential strike action via sound HR strategies empathetic and in partnership with staff during tough economic times and dealing with strike situations and striking workers in worst case scenarios.