Perhaps the main cause or source of poor
industrial relations resulting in inefficiency and labour unrest is mental
laziness on the part of both management and labour. Management is not
sufficiently concerned to ascertain the causes of inefficiency and unrest
following the laissez-faire policy until it is faced with strikes and more
serious unrest.

 Even with regard to methods of work, management does not bother
to devise the best method but leaves it mainly to the subordinates to work it
out for themselves. Contempt on the part of the employers towards the workers
is another major cause.

However, the following are briefly the causes
of poor industrial relations:

1. Mental inertia on the part of management and labour;

2. An intolerant attitude of contempt towards
the workers on the part of management.

3. Inadequate fixation of wage or wage structure;

4. Unhealthy working conditions;

5. Indiscipline;

6. Lack of human relations skills on the part of supervisors and other
managers;

7. Desire on the part of the workers for
higher bonus or DA and the corresponding desire of the employers to give as
little as possible;

8. Inappropriate introduction of automation without providing the right
climate;

9. Unduly heavy workloads;

10. Inadequate welfare facilities;

11. Dispute on sharing the gains of productivity;

12. Unfair labour practices, like victimization and undue dismissal;

13. Retrenchment, dismissals and lock-outs on
the part of management and strikes on the part of the workers;

14. Inter-union rivalries; and

15. General economic and political
environment, such as rising prices, strikes by others, and general indiscipline
having their effect on the employees’ attitudes.