Employment Relations is the relationship between management and the employees in an organization. Using the Dunlop Model, it states that the relationship between the three actors (Union, Management and Government) is linked by an ideology or common objectives. However as country progresses in terms of economic development, this ideology may change (Tan, 1999). .
During the Conference on Strategies for Managing HR in the Knowledge-Based Economy on 19 October 1999, Dr Lee Boon Yang, Minister for Manpower, pointed out that ".Recent studies showed that workers' top concern is the flexibility to manage their work schedule and achieving good work-life balance is an important consideration for many workers". This calls for implementation of innovative Human Resource practices as Singapore progresses towards a more knowledge based economy, where human capital has emerged, as the most important asset of companies. .
Thus in this report, I will talk more about how when the economy is in a recession will affect the government policy, management of employment relations in organizations and workers and also how alternative work arrangements such as telecommuting can be helpful to an organization in reallocating its human resources as compared to permanent full time employment.
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The Government policy, Management and Workers.
As quoted from Speech by Dr Lee Boon Yang, Minister for Manpower during the Manpower 21 launch ceremony, "The economic crisis had slowed down growth, pushed up unemployment and retrenchments to new levels in 1998. Although the recession was sudden and the impact severe, we were quite clear on the need to look beyond the recession and carefully address Singapore's long term manpower issues." .
In view of the worsening economic conditions and continued uncertainty in the year ahead, the Government accepted the National Wages Council's (NWC) revised wage guidelines for 2001-2002 and strongly supports the NWC's call for severe wage restraint, including wage cuts so that companies affected by the downturn can save jobs.
