After reading this article you will learn about:- 1. Meaning of Worker’s Participation 2. Definition of Worker’s Participation 3. Objectives 4. Prerequisites.
Meaning of Worker’s Participation:
The success of an organization/enterprise depends on cordial industrial relations. If the attitude of the workers towards their work is positive, they put in best for the achievement of organizational goals. The workers must feel involved in the work they do. In the past workers were considered just like machines and raw material. Now owners and the workers are considered as members of the same family.
The aim of worker’s participation in management is to evolve a sense of responsibility among the employees. However, participation in management does not mean that all employees have to be consulted for taking all decisions.
Definition of Worker’s Participation:
Keith Davis defined it as “as an individual’s mental and emotional involvement in a group situation that encourages him to contribute to group goals and to share responsibility for them.”
From the above definition, the following essential characteristics of workers participation in management are indicated:
(1) Participation implies mental and emotional involvement rather than muscular activity.
(2) It motivates contribution. An opportunity is given to workers to utilize their initiative and creativity towards the objectives of the organisation.
(3) It encourages people to accept responsibility for an activity as they are self-involved in the activities of enterprise.
Objectives of Worker’s Participation:
The main aim of business organizations nowadays is shifting towards maximization of economic welfare from the maximization of profits. The basic idea of labour participation in management is to get their fullest cooperation.
The success of such a participation depends on the existence of cordial industrial relations. A rapport is established between employers and employees that motivates them to work together productively and in full cooperation with each other.
The following are the main objectives of workers participation in management:
(i) To raise productivity and production
(ii) To improve morale of workers
(iii) To satisfy the desire of workers for self-expression
(iv) To promote industrial peace in the concern
(v) To have better industrial relations
(vi) To encourage social education which promotes solidarity in the working class in society?
Prerequisites for Worker’s Participation:
The success of participation is dependent on how well certain prerequisites given below are satisfied:
(i) Ample time must be given to participate before action is required. Participation may not be appropriate in emergency situations
(ii) The financial cost of participation should not exceed the values, economic and otherwise, that it produces.
(iii) The participant should possess the abilities, intelligence and knowledge so as to participate effectively
(iv) The participant must be able to communicate in order to be able to exchange his ideas.
(v) No one (employee or manager) should feel that his position is threatened by participation.
(vi) Participation for deciding a course of action in an organization can take place only within the group’s area of job freedom.