2. Meaning
Workers’ participation in management means giving scope for workers to
influence the managerial decision-making process at different levels by
various forms in the organisation.
The principal forms of workers’ participation are information sharing,
joint consultation, suggestion schemes, etc.
Redistribution of power between management and workers in the direction
of industrial democracy
3. Worker’s participation
arrangements resulting into the creation of various participative
forums to associate workers with management
v/s
Participative management
Manager’s specific style in which he interacts with his people,
leadership pattern
4. Objectives of Workers participation in
management
1.Aware of Democratic right to
1. Economic influence the managerial
objective decisions
2. Social 2. Raise worker’ level of
motivation and commitment
Objective (own decisions)
3. 3.Cross-fertilisation and speedy
Psychological communication of ideas
Objective 4. Avoid conflict and Foster better
co-operation between labour and
management.
5. Importance of Workers’ Participation in
Management
1. Mutual Understanding
2. Higher Productivity
3. Industrial Harmony
4. Industrial Democracy (right of self expression and
opportunity to communicate views on policies, worker as
responsible partner in decision making)
5. Less Resistance to change
6. Creativity and Innovation
6. Forms/level/degree of Participation
Communication : to give and get info (sharing )
Consultation : exchange opinions and views before decision
taken
Co-determination : joint decision making
Self management : enjoying complete authority right from
decision making to execution
7. Workers Participation in Management
in India
Indirect Representative : introduced by govt through legal
provisions or notifications.
E.g Works Committee,Joint Management Council
Worker’s director etc.
Direct Participation : opportunity for each and every worker to
participate in management through variety of mechanisms like suggestion
schemes, small group activity ,quality circles etc.
8.
9. Works Committee (1947)
The industrial disputes act, 1947 provides for the setting up of
works committee consisting of representatives of management
and workers
Establishment employing 100 or more workmen or any day on
preceding 12 months.
It meets frequently for discussion on common problems of the
workers and the management.
After discussion, joint decisions are taken
problems of day to day working
10. List of items WC can deal with
Conditions of work such as ventilation, lighting, temperature
and sanitation
Amenities such as drinking water, canteen, dining ,crèches,
rest rooms, medical and health rooms services
Safety and accident prevention, occupational diseases and
protective equipment.
Adjustment of festivals and national holidays.
Administration of welfare funds.
11. Educational and recreational such as libraries, reading rooms,
cinema-shows, sports, games, community welfare and
celebrations, games,
Implementation and review of decisions arrived at meeting
of works committees
12. Items excluded
Wages and allowances
Bonus
Profit sharing
Work load fixation
Retrenchment or layoff
Housing services
Retirement benefits, PF , gratuity etc.
13. Reasons for failure of WC
Exclusion of imp items
Lack of competence of representatives
Inter union rivalry
Recommendations are just advisory in nature
No machinery to enforce the decision
14. Joint Management Council(1958)
Consists of equal number of representatives of management
and employees ,not exceeding 12 in all.
Employees Representatives nominated by recognized trade
union
15. AN UNDERTAKING MUST MEET THE FOLLOWING
REQUIREMENTS FOR SETTING UP JMC’s
It must have 500 or more employees.
It should have a fair record of industrial relations.
It should have a strong and well organised trade
union.
Willingness of employers, workers and trade
unions
.
16. FEATURES OR FUNCTIONS of JMC
1. Consultative Functions -council consulted by
management on :
Administration of standing orders
New methods of production
Retrenchment
Closure, reduction in or cessation of operation
17. 2.Information –receiving and suggestion making
functions:
General economic situation.
The state of market, production and sales programmes.
Organisation and general running of the undertaking.
The annual balance sheet and profit and loss account
statement and connected documents with explanations.
Methods of manufacture and work
long term plan for expansion etc.
18. 3.Administrative functions :
Welfare measures
Supervision of safety measures
Operation of vocational training and apprenticeship schemes
Preparation of schedules of working hours , breaks , holidays
Payment of rewards for valuable suggestions
19. Reasons for unsatisfactory working or
partial success
Trade union fear of loosing power
Weak representatives
Employers who already have WC and TU find it superflous
21. Reasons for failure
Wd’s were ill equipped to understand the intricacies of
board level matters
Secrets might be leaked out
Union opposition
22. Worker Participation scheme(1975)
SHOP COUNCILS
For each dept or shop floor, establishment having more than
500 workmen
Each council consists of equal number of representatives of
employers and workers.
23. Functions :
Assistance to management in achieving monthly/yearly
production targets
Improvement of production-elimination of wastage and
optimum utilization of resources
Study of absenteeism in shops/dept and steps to reduce that
Assistance in maintaining general discipline
Physical conditions of working etc.
Welfare and health measures
Two way communication
24. JOINT COUNCILS
Operate for industrial unit as a whole, more than 500
workmen
The chief executive of the unit is the chairman of the JC
Meets at least once in quarter
Decision on the basis of consensus
25. Functions:
Optimum production
Matters not solved in shop council or having bearing on another
shop/dept
Development of skills of workmen
Awarding of rewards for valuable suggestions
General health, safety and welfare measures for the unit or the
plant
26. Direct participation
Two way communication: more imp in knowledge
workers
Suggestion schemes
5S concept : Japan for TQM-house keeping
practices
Shitseke: discipline- maintain and review standards
Seiton : orderliness –set in order
Seiketsu: standardization of work practices
Seiri: clearing (sorting) – keep only essential items rest discarded
Seiso: sweeping/washing,cleanliness of workplace
27.
28.
29.
30.
31. PDCA concept- to improve organizational effectiveness
Plan-set target
Do-work to meet target
Check : target achieved or not
Act –to remove difficulties or modify( to improve
organizational effectiveness)
32. Quality of work life (QWL): joint programmes of cooperation
or ‘working together’ on the shop floor to improve quality of
work life
-refers to favourableness or unfavourableness of a job environment
for employees in the organization
E.G Adequate and fair compensation
Safe and healthy working conditions
Opportunity to use and develop human capacities
Opportunity for career growth
Social integration in work force etc.