Understanding power dynamics & difficult conversations

* Please note this session is for HPMA members only**

*This session is for those in HR/OD/ Workforce roles**

Summary:

Does Employee Relations strategy exist? Or does everyone just have an opinion about what outcome you need to reach in an ER case? You need to attend this session if you have difficulty convincing your managers to make safe decisions in ER cases

Aim:

To develop an appreciation of the positions and interests of operational managers and their relationship to employee relations, People Practitioners, risk and balancing demand and capacity.

Objectives:

To explore real and perceived position of power and the implications of that when managing employment relations.

How to operate more strategically, to be more proactive and less reactive.

Understand the principles of influence and the art of negotiation related to managing ER

Learn about the dynamics of difficult conversations and how to hold them with confidence.

Outcome:

Attendees will leave with a greater understanding of the importance of ER strategy, incorporating and mitigating risk in decision making, and how to be courageous in conversations with managers that are more senior or demanding than you.

Prework: Consider and reflect on a case where you have been challenged to proceed in a direction that you considered unsafe:

Write a brief reflection on that case including a short summary of what occurred, who was involved, what was difficult about the situation, what did you do, what was the outcome and what would you do differently if you faced a similar situation

Facilitator

Insert speaker bio

Date: Tuesday 12th August 2025

Location: Online

Time: 09:30 start, finish 12:30

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