Case Study 3 - Multis (employee involvement, information and consultation)
Case Study 3 - Multis (employee involvement, information and consultation)
Introduction
Multis is an indigenous Irish company specialising in re-manufacturing, re-marketing, reclaiming and disposing of out-dated computing equipment. The company employs approximately eighty people.
Employee relations and involvement
The majority of Multis staff are highly qualified and experienced technicians and are recognised as a critical resource. Informing and consulting with staff is seen as the way business is done. This is a business model which management believe could not work without pro-active staff.
Multis is a non-unionised company. There are no formal partnership or representative structures. However, this is a company with an open door policy and a genuine commitment to employee involvement. The key for management is that dialogue, involvement and consultation with employees be part of a flexible and constructive process. There is no sense that good ideas are the preserve of any individual or group of people.
Multis operates in a very transparent manner with its employees. Management believe in the benefits of open information sharing. Information is provided directly to staff using a number of techniques, including e-mail, notice boards and quarterly reports.
For example, the quarterly report is produced and circulated to all members of staff. Detailed presentations are made to the managing director and other senior managers covering issues such as performance, sales, customer relations and development opportunities. Time is also provided during these meeting for questions and input from employees.
Benefits
- Consultation is seen as something which works for both managers and employees
- The company gains in terms of flexibility and responsiveness
- Employees gain because they are aware of changes, they feel involved and are less nervous about change
- On the issue of employee involvement, management believe the only questions worth asking are ones of how and when.
