Employment Relations in the Shadow of Recession

Brigid van Wanrooy is a Principal Research at Acas, UK. Helen Bewley is a Senior Research Fellow at the National Institute of Economic and Social Research, UK. Alex Bryson is a Senior Research Fellow at the National Institute of Economic and Social Research, UK. John Forth is a Senior Research Fellow at the National Institute of Economic and Social Research, UK. Stephanie Freeth is a Senior Research Officer at the Department for Business Innovation and Skills, UK. Lucy Stokes is a Senior Research Officer at the National Institute of Economic and Social Research, UK. Stephen Wood is Professor of Management, University of Leicester, UK.

'The series of WIRS/WERS surveys in Britain have long been regarded internationally as the gold standard for the empirical study of work and employment. This fine book extends this tradition by presenting an authoritative analysis of the impact of the Great Recession on workplaces across the private and public sectors.' - Bill Roche, Professor of Industrial Relations and Human Resources, University College Dublin, Ireland 'With Britain in the grip of a prolonged recession, the findings of the 2011 Workplace Employment Relations Survey have been keenly awaited. This authoritative overview and analysis is replete with insights into the variegated effects on employment relations, the responses of employers to the challenges arising and the underlying trajectory of workplace relations. It is a 'must read' for the academic and professional employment relations community.' - Paul Marginson, Professor of Industrial Relations, University of Warwick, UK 'This book maintains the high standards of its illustrious predecessors while adding major new insights, notably on the effects of recessions on workplace employment relations. It marries meticulous description of trends and patterns with thoughtful analysis of key themes.' - Paul Edwards, Professor of Employment Relations, University of Birmingham, UK 'WERS is the definitive source of data on employment relations and it is difficult now to imagine how our understanding might have developed without it. This book provides us with an update to 2011 as well as insights - some surprising - on how the recession has shaped employment relations. It will be required reading for all HR professionals, employee representatives, policy makers, commentators and researchers with an interest in the world of work.' - Mark Beatson, Chief Economist, Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) 'WERS 2011 is an agenda-setting analysis of contemporary labour market, industrial relations and employment trends. It sets out in empirical detail the impact of the post-crash recession on UK workplaces that should give all those with an interest in policy making and industrial relations food for thought. From stagnant wages to zero hours contracts, WERS 2011 will certainly help shape the trade union movement's bargaining and campaign work in the years ahead.' - Frances O'Grady, TUC General Secretary

• IntroductionIn the Shadow of RecessionEmployment and Flexible WorkingThe Involvement of Employees in Workplace ChangePay and RewardsThe Quality of Jobs and EmploymentEmployee WellbeingThe Quality of Employment RelationsThe Impact of RecessionConclusionAppendix.