Union and management cooperation to address psychosocial hazards at work: The role of frames of reference

Too little is known about how the perspectives of, and relationships between, unions and management may affect the management of psychosocial hazards at work. This is despite the potential impact of these hazards on workers and calls to better integrate industrial relations and work health and safety disciplines in order to respond more effectively. Drawing on the foundational industrial relations concept of frames of reference, and informed by research in industrial relations (IR) and work health and safety (WHS), we analyse the type and extent of cooperation between a manufacturing union and management in two Australian case organisations as they sought to develop a psychosocial risk management plan over two years during the COVID pandemic. We demonstrate the utility of a frames of reference typology for analysing and explaining their attempts at cooperation. We propose that frames of reference analysis can be used more actively, including by the parties themselves; more broadly, across different issues and sectors; and more strategically, as a way for parties to shape behaviour and relationships to improve outcomes for workers and organisations.