Employee Relations November 2005 - CIPD

PDS – Employee Relations
EXAMINER'S REPORT
November 2005
Question 9 (Mediation)
Most candidates demonstrated understanding of the term ‘mediation’. However answers
were very weak in explaining why employers might see some advantage in engaging in
the process. In this regard, candidates should make reference to some of the following
points:
• the employer retaining control of the situation is free to reject or accept the
mediator’s recommendations
• it is cheap and informal relative to an employment tribunal
• it offers a quick resolution to problems, privacy and confidentiality.
Question 10 (Good practice)
The majority of answers were poor in that candidates did not:
• demonstrate that they understood the term ‘good practice’ – acting with just cause
after a thorough investigation and behaving in a fair, reasonable and consistent
manner
• explain why operating good practice gives competitive advantage – if employees are
treated fairly and kept informed then employee morale should be high, their
productivity higher and their willingness to accept change greater.
Professor John Gennard
Chief Examiner