The industrial relations activities of a personnel officer encompass __________.

The industrial relations activities of a personnel officer primarily focus on managing the relationship between employers and employees, which includes activities that involve negotiations and addressing concerns. Grievance handling is critical as it allows employees to report issues and seek resolutions, thereby maintaining workplace harmony. Contract negotiations are equally important as they involve discussions related to collective agreements between the workforce and management, often concerning wages, working conditions, and other employment terms.

In contrast, the other options revolve around different aspects of human resource management. Employee training and skill development focus on enhancing employees' capabilities rather than addressing industrial relations specifically. Recruitment and performance evaluation deal with hiring processes and employee assessments, not directly linked to managing employer-employee relationships. Workplace safety and compliance audits emphasize adherence to regulations and ensuring a safe working environment, which, while important, does not fall under the direct purview of industrial relations. Therefore, the first option clearly encapsulates the core responsibilities associated with industrial relations activities for a personnel officer.