Overview
Over the past several years, organizations have experienced significant changes in the employee-employer relationship. Historically, the psychological contract between employees and employers centered on a reciprocal set of commitments between both parties. More recently, employees have voiced broader expectations around organizational values, employee voice, collective representation, conflict resolution, autonomy, flexibility, and the integration of work and personal life.
At the same time, organizations are navigating continued disruption from artificial intelligence, workforce restructuring, return-to-office expectations, economic uncertainty, evolving labor markets, and shifting societal expectations. These forces are reshaping not only what employees expect from their employers, but also what employers are willing or able to provide in return.
This working group will examine how the employee-employer relationship is evolving in today’s environment and what these shifts mean for employee relations, labor relations, engagement, workforce voice, and organizational strategy. Participants will share observations from their own organizations and work together to identify emerging trends, risks, and opportunities for employee and labor relations leaders.
Potential topics of discussion
Employee Voice and Influence
- Is employee voice becoming stronger or weaker as organizations simplify structures, reduce headcount, or rethink operating models?
- Has employee willingness to challenge decisions or speak up changed as concerns about job security increase?
- How are employees seeking influence inside organizations, both through formal and informal channels?
Workplace Conflict and Problem-Solving
- How are organizations approaching workplace conflict in an increasingly complex and uncertain environment?
- What new forms of employee concern, grievance, or escalation are emerging?
- How are HR, employee relations, and labor relations leaders helping managers address issues earlier and more effectively?
Values, Trust, and Organizational Responsibility
- Are employee expectations around corporate values, activism, transparency, and organizational responsibility changing?
- How are organizations deciding when and how to respond to internal and external social, political, or economic issues?
- What role does trust play in the current employee-employer relationship?
Flexibility, Work Design, and Return-to-Office Expectations
- Are expectations for flexibility and work-life integration changing as organizations increase in-office work requirements?
- How are employees responding to changes in hybrid, remote, or on-site work expectations?
- What are organizations learning about the relationship between flexibility, engagement, performance, and retention?
Technology, AI, and Workforce Change
- How are AI and other technologies changing employee expectations, job design, and workplace trust?
- What employee relations issues are emerging as organizations adopt AI-enabled tools or redesign work?
- How are organizations communicating workforce changes in ways that maintain credibility and engagement?
Who should attend
This session is designed for labor relations and employee relations leaders, as well as HR leaders responsible for workforce transformation, organizational change, AI adoption, employee experience, or workplace strategy.
To support rich discussion and peer exchange, participation is limited to no more than 25 attendees from CAHRS partner firms. The session is free of charge to CAHRS partner companies.
Participants should come prepared to share observations from their own organizations and engage actively in discussion. We also welcome input in advance. If there are specific issues or questions you would like included in the conversation, please send them prior to the session.
Format
This in-person working group will take place from 8:30 a.m.-2:00 p.m. at the ILR NYC Conference Center.
The day will include:
- Continental breakfast beginning at 8:30 a.m.
- Working group discussion beginning at 9:00 a.m.
- Facilitated peer exchange and discussion
- Working lunch
Cornell Discussion Leader
Hotel Accommodations
Suggested nearby hotels include:
- Hyatt Grand Central New York
- Hotel57
- Hilton Garden Inn New York/Manhattan-Midtown East
- Residence Inn by Marriott New York Manhattan/Midtown East
Date & Time
Location
570 Lexington Ave.
12th Floor
New York, NY 10022
United States