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.