Introduction: The Language and Culture Perspective in Employee Relations

The book provides an insight into the deeper structures underlying the similarities and differences in Employee Relations Systems by synthesis of cultural, language and specific employee relations factors. Enabling the understanding of those involved in international and comparative employee relations matters in a more insightful way than current approaches. It also intends to facilitate a holistic approach to translations, and understanding, of employee relations-focused texts. One of the central issues is that translations, under-standings, in specific contexts, such as labor law, employee relevant technical matters, in areas as, for example, collective bargaining and arbitration processes, achieve clarity through the inclusion of cultural characteristics. The book, therefore, includes an in-depth explanation and analysis of specific and general concepts of employee relations within this contextual field. It identifies examples of how cultural identification shapes, directs and influences distinctive systems of employee relations—moving toward a translation objective which is anchored in a holistic approach providing a deeper understanding of the subject matter.