Contemporary Employment Relations: a Critical Introduction offers an original, accessible, and critical approach to understanding employment relations. Based on up-to-date research studies, it considers recent developments in employment relations, defined as the way in which employment relationships are regulated, experienced, and contested. A thematic approach to the subject helps to demonstrate the contemporary relevance of employment relations, enabling students to develop an appropriate level of knowledge and understanding of this key area of economic, social, and political life. Among the topics covered by the book are: BL the implications of globalization for employment relations BL the role of the European Union BL the significance of 'family-friendly' and 'work-life balance' policies BL the nature of employment relations in non-union firms BL the dynamics of workplace partnership BL the impact of minimum wage and working time legislation BL the causes and effects of work intensification. Online Resource Centre For lecturers: PowerPoint slides; case study guide; guide to end-of-chapter qustions; guide to web pages. For students: annotated web links; updates to legislation, policy and research; additional case studies; and a glossary of key terms.

PART 1: INTRODUCING EMPLOYMENT RELATIONS; 1. The elements of employment relations; PART 2: CONTEMPORARY EMPLOYMENT RELATIONS IN CONTEXT; 2. Employment relations in the contemporary economy; 3. The politics of employment relations; 4. Social divisions and employment relations; PART 3: KEY ISSUES IN CONTEMPORARY EMPLOYMENT RELATIONS; 5. Managing employment relations; 6. Representation at work; 7. Contemporary developments in pay and working time; 8. Experiencing employment relations; 9. Conflict and employment relations; PART 4: CONCLUSION

Steve WilliamsPrincipal lecturer in Employment Relations, University of Portsmouth, Derek Adam-SmithHead of the Human Resource and Marketing Management Department, University of Portsmouth

`The thematic approach makes for engaging discussion and focused reading that will take students into some really key issues, in depth, and provoke more critical reflection.' Dr Stephen J. Perkins, Course leader in International HRM, London Metropolitan University