If you want to get your workforce to accept change then embrace partnership, suggests new research.
According to an IRS survey, the most commonly identified advantages of partnership working include: improvements in employee relations and a greater willingness to accept change.
These findings make interesting reading in view of Government plans to implement a European Directive on information and consultation announced this week.
The survey, based on responses from 34 HR departments across the private and public sectors, found that half of the employers surveyed always work in partnership with their employees. Other findings show:
- Eight out of 10 respondents have company councils.
- More than six in 10 organisations surveyed recognise unions for the purposes of collective bargaining.
- The public sector is more likely to adopt partnership. All of the public sector survey respondents are positive about partnership.
- In the services sector, more than six in 10 employers usually operate in partnership but just half of the six private sector manufacturers currently adopt partnership working.
Respondents cited the following as the benefits of partnership:
- improved employee relations climate
- workforce more willing to accept change
- reduced costs
- improved productivity
- reduction in absence.