Whither employment relations and hospitality?

Interest in employment, now the preserve of many individuals, but not all, in western economies, derives from the fact that ‘Work dominates the lives of men and women . . . the management of employees both individually and collectively remains a central feature of organisational life’ (Blyton and Turnbull, 1998: 3). Before beginning an examination of employment relations in the HI, it is useful to outline the historical development of employment relations1 and their relevance as a field of study, thereby introducing the reader to some of the key terms used throughout the book.