week 8 employee participation
what is a works council ?
- brings together workers' representatives (usually trade unionists but not exclusively) to meet with management, receive information and give views on current strategies and decisions affecting the enterprise and its workforce.
what is collective bargaining ?
Collective bargaining is the process of negotiating the terms of employment between an employer and a group of workers. The terms of employment are likely to include items such as conditions of employment, working conditions and other workplace rules, base pay, overtime pay, work hours, shift length, work holidays, sick leave, vacation time, retirement benefits and health care benefits. In the United States, collective bargaining takes place between labor union leaders and the management of the company that employs that union's workers.
the benefits of employee involvement ?
Improved organizational decision-making capability • Improved attitude regarding work • Substantially improved employee well-being • Reduced costs through elimination of waste and reduced product cycle times • Empowerment, job satisfaction, creativity, commitment, and motivation, as well as intent to stay • Increased employee productivity across industries inform and educate workers about organisation
what is co-determination ?
In continental Europe there is more emphasis on employee having some role in the management of companies. Germany has a system whereby employees in large companies elect representatives to a supervisory board in which they have one third of the seats. The employees also elect a worker director, who has a seat on the main board but can only vote on matters concerning employees
what is employee involvement ?
Involvement is an employer-led agenda and is concerned with encouraging workers to identify with, and work towards, business goals. It implies unitarism - i.e. the idea that management and worker interests can be aligned. The direct participation of staff to help an organization fulfill its mission and meet its objectives by applying their own ideas, expertise, and efforts towards solving problems and making decisions. usually top-down information provision unitariast and business-centerer
What is employee participation ?
It is an employee (or trade union, or sometimes government) led agenda relating to workers having a 'collective voice' in decision making. is the process whereby employees are involved in decision making processes, rather than simply acting on orders. Employee participation is part of a process of empowerment in the workplace.
What is union derecognition / marginalisation ?
REstrictions on facilities and time off for trade union activities. Greater emphasis on individualism and direct communication e.g face to face meetings , employee survey and suggestion schemes , email etc
What do trade unions do ?
an essential communication process, main aims is to protect and advance the interests of its members in the workplace.
what are benefits of not having a union ?
competitive pay and benefits provide attractive employment package and extensive non union employee voice mechanisms removal of status differentials
