The research also reveals one in five senior HR professionals believe that trade union action is likely to affect their organisation in the next six months. Of these, 20% say that this activity is likely to have a "huge impact" on the organisation. A recent report by the BBC supports these findings, suggesting that many fear government spending cuts could be the precursor for mass strikes in the UK.
Carol Smith, senior employment consultant at Croner, said: "It is concerning that so many HR professionals feel under-prepared to deal with trade union activity, despite anticipating that it could have a significant impact on their organisations. However, it is not surprising as it is a long time since we have been in a similar economic climate. As a consequence it is the first time that many HR people increasingly have had to think about or deal with industrial action."
Almost two-thirds (63%) of the survey respondents say they know little or nothing about the current laws on trade unions, and 40% say they do not feel confident about dealing with union action. "This survey shows that the HR sector recognises a shortfall in their knowledge and expertise and the need to take steps to understand and be confident on the laws surrounding industrial action and management of industrial relations. Employers should be offering support through training and education programmes to assist HR professionals and ensure that sectors of UK plc do not come to a standstill if the predicted rise in trade union action occurs," added Smith.
HR professionals admit they are unprepared to deal with predicted increase in trade union activity
More than half (54%) of senior HR professionals in the UK are working in teams in which no one has experience of dealing with trade union action, according to new research conducted by YouGov for Croner.
