Even if you are a fresh graduate, you likely have some experience as an extern. Prepare for this question in advance by thinking of all procedures in which you have assisted. When answering the question, give a detailed but succinct account of your experience and your contribution to the experience.

The main objectives of an Industrial relations system are: 

- To protect the interest of employees and employers by building up a congenial relationship. 

- To avoid the human conflicts which can harm the business, the employees and the economic growth of the country.

- To increase the productivity. 

- To improve the economic conditions of the workers

- To reduce the number of industrial disputes like strikes, lock outs etc.

CBA – Collective Bargaining Agreement is the result of collective bargaining procedure. 

These agreements can be in one of the two forms: 

i.) Procedural agreement

ii.) Substantive agreement

Procedural agreements – They usually deal with the relationship between employees and employers to resolve individual and group issues. These are usually filed in the company’s rule book. 

Substantive agreements – This kind of an agreement deals with specific issues like basic pay, leave policy, bonus payment etc.

The functions performed by trade unions can be classified into two groups: 

i.) Militant Functions

ii.) Fraternal Functions

Militant functions :

These activities include strike, lock outs, gherao etc which means putting up a fight with the management. Hence, they are called militant functions. They are carried out for following purposes: 

a.) Rise in wages

b.) Rise in the status of workers

c.) Protection against injustice

Fraternal functions :

These functions are carried out by the trade unions for the welfare of their employees which includes: 

a.) Measures to boost up the workers’ morale

b.) Foster self confidence

c.) Develop sincerity and discipline

d.) Protection to women workers against discrimination

The main parties involved in the IR system are: 

i.) Employers – They are the ones who possess the rights to hire the employees and remove them. They also possess the rights to relocate, close or merge the business. They can opt for technological changes as and when they see it in the interest of business. 

ii.) Employees – They are actually the ones who keep the business moving. They possess the rights to voice their opinions and feelings while striving for betterment. They usually form the unions to negotiate with the employers.

iii.) Government – Government is the one who influences the IR system with laws, rules, agreements, awards of court etc. They also include third parties & labour and tribunal courts to manage the IR system.

Tips

It would be wise to save this question for the interviewing manager, and not for a peer/technical discussion. Nobody likes a kiss-up, but letting management know that you will communicate openly and honestly with them, always scores big points. The last part of the question can be a good barometer about how easy it will be to become a top performer. You can follow up with a discussion of how you have been successful in your previous jobs.

Tips :

Use your background research to support your answer. Look at aspects such as the commitment to health care provision, innovations in patient care, the community it serves.

Tips : 

Healthcare systems globally are struggling to meet the demands of the populations they serve. One of the major problems is the current shortage of trained nurses. Use your interview answer to demonstrate that you have thought about this issue and offer up some reasons as to why there is such a shortage of skilled nurses.

Possible reasons include low nursing school enrollment due to poor perceptions of nursing as a fairly rewarded career and nurses leaving the profession before retirement age due to job dissatisfaction. You need to be able to show your interest in nursing as a career by demonstrating that you have thought about the current and future issues facing nurses.