worker participation

Situation where workers are involved in some way with decision-making in a business organization. Worker participation can take many forms. There might be a consultative council in the company where trade unions and management meet regularly to discuss points of mutual interest. Workers can be organized in quality circles and meet regularly in small groups to discuss ways in which their work could be better organized.

Decisionmaking may be further pushed down the line so that even the most junior worker has some say in how work is organized. On a financial level, workers may be invited to buy or be given shares in the company, encouraging them to participate in the affairs of the company as shareholders. In a worker cooperative the shares and control of the company lie with its workers. Worker participation can lead to greater motivation of staff.