Where labour is in high demand, human resource professionals talk of work-life balance and employee friendly work policies. Yet organisations may not be able to rule out the possibility of re-structuring and down-sizing in the future. Can family-friendly rhetoric imply a long-term commitment? To what extent do businesses understand and really adjust to employee needs and expectations? How can businesses best understand and interpret the views and preferences of providing employees assistance? What are the most effective measures to ensure that a work environment is family-friendly and worker-friendly? Do adjustments and improvements to terms of employment and working conditions rely fundamentally on government regulation? What role do employee development and reward management have? How effective is worker/union representation in initiating change? And to what extent do cultural differences impact on policies in different parts of the world, where expectations may vary significantly.

The 2006 conference of the International Employment Relations Association will focus on these key issues. Hosted by Hong Kong Baptist University, co-organized by Hong Kong People Management Association, the conference will provide a forum for East-West dialogue and comparison. The conference will include a half day human resource practitioner symposium in conjunction with the Hong Kong People Management Association where delegates will have the opportunity to engage with some of the leading-edge HR practices in Hong Kong. There will also be an opportunity for delegates to undertake a brief study visit to workplaces in Guangdong, China.