Developing more workplace understanding

07 Jul Developing more workplace understanding

Chris Jacobs, a director at consultancy firm OIM, recommends the following steps that companies should take to create a culture of mutual understanding:

• Instil a culture of responsibility based on a common understanding that is created throughout and communicated to every employee.
• Define the employee’s wants and needs and communicate the company’s stance on these issues through formalised long-term agreements.
• Open communication channels between management and unions. and provide regular updates on the company’s performance in relation to the markets on a monthly or quarterly basis so employees are in-tune with their employer.
• Establish a track record of the issues that arise at the site and develop long-term counter-strategies.
• Illustrate transparency in order to alleviate unrealistic demands that are not incongruent with the economy, the global market and commodity prices.
• All parties should look at the broader perspective and the total economy and discuss their perspectives based on long-term analysis and address the reality of profitability versus high costs.
• Implement long-term wage increase agreements that can be adapted if the economic situation changes.
• Do not allow a situation where lawlessness can develop.