How did the industrial revolution alter the employer-employee relationship?

The Industrial Revolution fundamentally transformed the employer-employee relationship, shifting from a personal to a more impersonal dynamic.

Before the Industrial Revolution, the majority of people were self-employed, working as farmers or artisans. The relationship between employer and employee was often personal and direct. However, the Industrial Revolution brought about a shift from agrarian and handcraft economies to large-scale industrial production. This led to the creation of factories where hundreds, sometimes thousands, of workers were employed. The employer-employee relationship became more impersonal, with employers often having little to no direct contact with their employees.

The rise of factories also led to a shift in power dynamics. Factory owners held significant power over their employees, dictating working hours, wages, and working conditions. This often led to exploitation, with workers facing long hours, low pay, and dangerous working conditions. The impersonal nature of the relationship made it easier for employers to disregard the welfare of their employees.

In response to these conditions, workers began to organise themselves into trade unions. These unions fought for better wages, shorter working hours, and safer working conditions. This was a significant shift in the employer-employee relationship, as it gave workers a collective voice and a means to negotiate with their employers. It also led to the development of labour laws and regulations, further altering the dynamics of the relationship.

The Industrial Revolution also led to changes in the skills required by workers. Before the revolution, artisans and craftsmen were highly skilled in their trades. However, the mechanisation of production meant that many jobs in factories required less skill and more repetitive tasks. This devalued the individual skills of workers and made them more replaceable, further altering the employer-employee relationship.

In conclusion, the Industrial Revolution brought about significant changes in the employer-employee relationship. It shifted from a personal and direct relationship to a more impersonal one, altered power dynamics, led to the formation of trade unions, changed the skills required by workers, and resulted in the development of labour laws and regulations.