Delivery Style
- Programme Starting 13 May 2025- Blended [3 days classroom (13 May 2025, 30 September 2025 & 04 November 2025) / 9 days online]. Venue for classroom days: Ibec, 84-86 Lower Baggot Street, Dublin 2
- Programme Starting 03 October 2025- Blended [3 days classroom (03 October 2025, 13 February 2026 & 27 March 2026) / 9 days online]. Venue for classroom days: Ibec, 84-86 Lower Baggot Street, Dublin 2
Summary
Advance your career path in Industrial Relations with this applied learning Diploma in Industrial Relations. Acquire the theory, law and the practical skills required for those who work in industrial relations, human resource management and related areas.
Ibec’s industrial relations programme is widely acknowledged as Ireland’s number one learning experience of its kind. Our trainers share Ibec’s insights from our daily support, representation and advisory capacity across multiple industries, to inform our training programmes so they are updated on a continuous basis.
At the end of the programme participants will have:
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An understanding of the legal framework surrounding industrial relations in Ireland, so that participants can demonstrate this in third party negotiations
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A range of effective negotiation and conflict management skills which can be demonstrated in practise
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Understanding of what constitutes industrial action, whether it is lawful, what liabilities may arise for the employee/trade union and what, if any, remedies are open to the employer
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Understanding of express and implied terms which bind the employer/employee relationship
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Skills in the areas of communications and conflict management
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The opportunity to prepare a case including a written submission to a third-party hearing
This programme is for:
Managers and executives who want to develop their knowledge of industrial relations.
Those attending are therefore required to be working in or moving to the area of HR, IR, ER or management.
Those who have undertaken Certificate in Managing Employee Relations, Mediation skills or other relevant courses. This programme is focused on dealing with trade unions and using the services of the WRC and the Labour Court.
Approach
This programme is delivered over a series of 12 full day sessions spread over 7 months to fit in with a fulltime work schedule. There are a number of activities and case studies used throughout the programme which ensures that all of the learning is applied in a real way. The programme leader encourages group discussion and involvement throughout each session, ensuring opportunities for questions and real issues are discussed at all times. Best practice examples in all areas of Industrial Relations will be highlighted and discussed throughout the programme.
Assessment & Accreditation
This programme is delivered over a series of 12 full day sessions spread over 7 months to fit in with a fulltime work schedule. There are a number of activities and case studies used throughout the programme which ensures that all of the learning is applied in a real way. The programme leader encourages group discussion and involvement throughout each session, ensuring opportunities for questions and real issues are discussed at all times. Best practice examples in all areas of Industrial Relations will be highlighted and discussed throughout the programme.
To achieve cpd Level 6 NFQ accreditation by TU Dublin, this course is assessed by exam and assignment submissions. Assessments are an integral part of the programme and count towards end of year results as follows:
- Closed book exam 50% Project (3,500 - 4,500 words) 20%
- Group assignment 20%
- Learning journal and class participation 10%
70% attendance is required
Programme Schedule
Introduction to Industrial Relations
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What is Industrial Relations?
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Factors that have shaped IR in Ireland
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The emergence of Trade Unions
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Role of Theory in IR
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State approaches to TU’s
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Trade Union Movement & Employer Associations
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The IR Institutions
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Industrial Relations Acts, 1990
Introduction to Employment Law
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Contracts of employment
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Fixed Term Workers Act
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Agency Workers
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Protective Leaves
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Redundancy
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Employment Equality Legislation
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Bullying & Harassment
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Discipline & Dismissals
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Dealing with Absenteeism, Incompetence & Misconduct
Effective Negotiation Skills
- Definition and objective of negotiations
- Strategic choices
- The stages/phases/types of negotiations
- Role play – local level negotiations
- Referral of dispute to the WRC – Conciliation Conference
- Referral of disputes to the Labour Court
- Drafting a written submission
- Role play – Mock Labour Court Hearing
Resolving Conflict Effectively
- Understanding your style
- Assertive and communications skills
- Reducing conflict
- Handling difficult people
- Practice and feedback
Collective Bargaining Practice & Dispute Resolutions
- What is collective bargaining?
- Trade Union Recognition
- Obligation on employers to negotiate?
- Disputes in relation to recognition
- IR Acts 1946-1990 / 2001-2015
- Recent Case Law
- Registered Employment Agreements [REAs] and Sectoral Employment Orders [SEOs]
Managing Change
- Defining change management
- The people part of change
- Common change pitfalls
- Types of organisational change
- Effective teamwork to deliver change
- Change models
- Implementing change
- Strategy and change
Accredited Partner
Collaborating since 2008 to deliver pragmatic education to support careers and organisational development
Programme Facilitator
Patricia Sugrue
Patricia joined Ibec in 1990. She has been actively involved in training managers in managing people skills throughout her career. She currently runs a number of specialised Ibec public programmes including Diploma & Certificate courses in Industrial Relations, Discipline and Dismissals and negotiations workshops. She is also actively involved in in-company training programmes.
Her areas of expertise are industrial relations, employment law, discipline and dismissals, managing absenteeism, poor performance and bullying & harassment, dispute and conflict resolution, preparation and presentation of cases to the Labour Court, the Conciliation and Adjudication Officers’ Services of the WRC.
