England.  Change location
Ask a question Ask a question Register nowRegister Request ProspectusProspectus

Employment relations and employee engagement

This module focuses both on the employment relationship as a crucial component underlying HR activity and practice, and on employee engagement as it relates to employment relations. It critically examines employment relations practices, policies and procedures which potentially impact on employee engagement and positive organisational outcomes to enable skilled HR professionals to contribute to more informed choices in core practice areas.

Vocational relevance

This module is part of a qualification that is intended to provide a route to professional membership of the CIPD if you wish to develop a career in HR management. It will also provide training in research and academic skills if you want to develop an academic career in the field of HR management.

More generally, by studying a postgraduate business qualification you can expect a positive impact on your career progression, as well as bringing improvements to the organisation.

Qualifications

B813 is a option module in our:

Excluded combinations

Sometimes you will not be able to count a module towards a qualification if you have already taken another module with similar content. To check any excluded combinations relating to this module, visit our excluded combination finder or check with an adviser before registering.

Module

Module code
B813
Credits

Credits

  • Credits measure the student workload required for the successful completion of a module or qualification.
  • One credit represents about 10 hours of study over the duration of the course.
  • You are awarded credits after you have successfully completed a module.
  • For example, if you study a 60-credit module and successfully pass it, you will be awarded 60 credits.
30
Study level
Across the UK, there are two parallel frameworks for higher education qualifications, the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications in England, Northern Ireland and Wales (FHEQ) and the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF). These define a hierarchy of levels and describe the achievement expected at each level. The information provided shows how OU postgraduate modules correspond to these frameworks.
OU Postgraduate
SCQF 11
FHEQ 7
Study method
Distance learning
Module cost
See Module registration
Entry requirements

Find out more about entry requirements.

Module details Entry requirements Module registration Study materials

What you will study

In the first half of this module you'll examine what we mean by employment relations and how the different contexts in which organisations operate will shape the decisions they make about HR policy and practice. This includes the influence of different regulatory regimes and of different forms of work and employment and you'll also look in depth at the social, political and economic changes that are transforming organisations and indeed the whole world of work.

In the second half you'll consider how these ideas can be applied to the practice area of employee relations and engagement. You'll also consider how effective employment relations support a positive organisational environment and affect performance and conflict. Finally, you'll explore the important question of how to evaluate HR policies – that is, how to find out what really works and what does not.

Throughout this module you'll be asked to relate your study of theory to practice in organisations which you know well. This may mean drawing on your own experience of organisations, as an employee, or perhaps as a volunteer, for example. You will also be offered case studies and will be encouraged to do your own research using the university’s online library. There will be a day school towards the middle of the module and four online tutorials to support you in your studies.

You'll develop and practise a number of skills, including postgraduate study skills and digital literacy skills, and you will develop skills in strategy development, talent management, recruitment and selection and helping others to learn. You'll continue to develop as a reflective practitioner, planning your skill development and keeping a record of your plans.

Teaching and assessment

Support from your tutor

Your tutor will help you with the study material, mark and comment on your assignments and provide advice and guidance. You'll be able to contact your tutor by email, phone or via your tutor group forum on the module website.

Assessment

The assessment details can be found in the facts box.

Course work includes

2 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs)
End-of-module assessment

Future availability

Employment relations and employee engagement in context starts once a year, in May. This page describes the module that will start in May 2025. We expect it to start for the last time in May 2031.

Regulations

As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the academic regulations which are available on our Student Policies and Regulations website.

Entry requirements

All entrants must hold a BA/BSc degree awarded by a recognised university, or equivalent. If you have any doubt about the suitability of the module, please speak to an adviser.

Register

Start End England fee Register
04 May 2024 Oct 2024 -

Registration now closed
03 May 2025 Oct 2025 £1865.00

Registration closes 17/04/25 (places subject to availability)

Register
This module is expected to start for the last time in May 2031.

Future availability

Employment relations and employee engagement in context starts once a year, in May. This page describes the module that will start in May 2025. We expect it to start for the last time in May 2031.

Additional costs

Study costs

There may be extra costs on top of the tuition fee, such as set books, a computer and internet access.

Ways to pay for this module

We know there’s a lot to think about when choosing to study, not least how much it’s going to cost and how you can pay.

That’s why we keep our fees as low as possible and offer a range of flexible payment and funding options, including a postgraduate loan, if you study this module as part of an eligible qualification. To find out more, see Fees and funding.

Study materials

What's included

You will have access to a module website with an extensive variety of specially written resources presented in different media (print and online) and designed exclusively for this module. This includes:

  • audio and video content
  • case studies
  • published articles
  • a week-by-week study planner
  • online tutorial access
  • access to The Open University library.

Computing requirements

You’ll need broadband internet access and a desktop or laptop computer with an up-to-date version of Windows (10 or 11) or macOS Ventura or higher.

Any additional software will be provided or is generally freely available.

To join in spoken conversations in tutorials, we recommend a wired headset (headphones/earphones with a built-in microphone).

Our module websites comply with web standards, and any modern browser is suitable for most activities.

Our OU Study mobile app will operate on all current, supported versions of Android and iOS. It’s not available on Kindle.

It’s also possible to access some module materials on a mobile phone, tablet device or Chromebook. However, as you may be asked to install additional software or use certain applications, you’ll also require a desktop or laptop, as described above.

If you have a disability

Written transcripts of any audio components and Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) versions of printed material are available. Some Adobe PDF components may not be available or fully accessible using a screen reader. Other alternative formats of the module materials may be available in the future.

To find out more about what kind of support and adjustments might be available, contact us or visit our disability support pages.

Request your prospectus

Our prospectuses help you choose your course, understand what it's like to be an OU student and register for study.

Request prospectus