Employment relations derives from the fields of industrial and labour relations, the latter of which have both been deemed demeaning to human beings as workers/employees. South African labour relations history is also regarded as having been degrading to workers, specifically migrant, black and unskilled labours. After decades of research, psychologists and sociologists have been able to show employers, managers and supervisors the importance of understanding human behaviour in fostering a workplace characterised by high job satisfaction, employee commitment and engagement. Employment relations in South Africa: a psychological perspective explores the ramifications of the past while promoting collaboration between employment relations and psychology toward more productive and harmonious employment relationships.

Employment relations in South Africa: a psychological perspective considers questions such as the following:

• What is the link between psychology and employment relations?
• Is psychology important to the field of employment relations?
• Why were industrial psychologist contributions previously neglected by trade unions?
• Why did psychologists and sociologists contribute less to industrial/labour relations in the past?