Communication and involvement

Employee Participation, which originated from a pluralist view that everyone in an organisation has their own separate views and needs, and because of this tension starts to fly between people in the organisation .

is the concept where by employees are involved in the decision making process"

The Times 100

Employees participate in the running and general day to day business of the organisation, they do not just simply go by what is happening around them and what they are being told to do. Employee participant gives rights to the employees such as to get advice about economic changes to the work place or any changes to their employment ( supported by legislation).

Lecture notes week 26

Employee Involvement is similar to employee participation, as it has the interest of its staff but, this rooted from the unitarist view of, all members in the organisation regardless of the role or status are the same, and have the same goals and interests. Employee involvement looks at the organisation creating a working force where the staff are concerned and impacted.

"Employee involvement is not the goal nor is it a tool, as practised in many organizations. Rather, is is a management and leadership philosophy about how people are most enabled to contribute continuous improvement and the ongoing success of their work organization"

About.com

There are many ways in which an organisation can involve its staff in the decision making of the a business. Team Briefing is a good way for involvement between management and staff as discussions and debates can be made where ideas can be thought and and a final discussion can be made.

Another form is staff suggestions schemes, this could be via staff wiping boards or suggestion boards, so that this remains anonymous and staff will not feel penalised or worried about their ideas. The last suggestion is share schemes for employees sometimes linked to a right to vote, this is a good financial scheme for staff as their is an incentive behind the involvement of staff .

If employers used some of these schemes to ensure staff involvement, there would definitely be a change and improvement.

Many companies and organisations are starting go use social networking sites such a Myspace, Facebook and Twitter to convey messages to heir staff and also build brand and company awareness for their organisation. AS social Networks are becoming more and more popular in the UK it is a good way to target existing consumers, potential consumers and general advertising. Best of all this is a very cost effective way for consumers and the organisation as it is free.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M10kKquy2OI

This video shows how across the world in the USA Facebook is being used as a free advertising tool for companies.

References

• Lecture Notes week 26
• Unknown (2011) Employee participation [Online]. Available from: http://www.thetimes100.co.uk/theory/theory--employee-participation--310.php [Accessed on 11 May 2011]
• Heathfield, s. (2011) Employee Involevment [Online]. Available from: http://humanresources.about.com/od/glossarye/a/employee_inv.htm [Acessed on 11 May]