WORKPLACE DISCIPLINE AND INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS ATMOSPHERE OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING SERVICE COMPANIES IN NIGERIA

Abstract

This thesis explored the relationship between workplace discipline and industrial relations atmosphere of electrical engineering companies in South-South Region, Nigeria. Workplace discipline is the predictor variable with preventive, curative and progressive discipline respectively as the dimensions while industrial relations atmosphere is the criterion variable for the study with adversarial and harmonious industrial relations atmosphere respectively as measures. The theoretical framework was drawn from Skinner’s reinforcement theory. Based on the findings, it was recommended that: organizations should help employees understand the need for discipline and know why they should align with the workrules and standards of their organizations. Also, managers should enact statements as workrules in the organization’s handbook, while employees should be counseled on customs and practices of the organization. Managers should adopt curative techniques that will discourage workers from first time and further violations through the withholding of increment of offenders demotion to lower ranks, the assignment of shifts and changing of offenders assignment. Organization and managers should issue verbal, then written warnings to offenders, threat of suspension, then disengage the workers when they fail to adhere to all these processes.