Information and Consultation Preparing for the ICE Regulations
Information and Consultation – things to think about Employee representation Methods and structures Handling restructuring Confidentiality Resolving disputes Maintaining effectiveness
Information What kind of information and what not! Information or Consultation Existing rules / law e.g. Contract of Employment, Health and Safety, Induction Relevant – substance, timing etc - level
Employee Representation Representation or not TU, non-TU or mix Facilitation and training
Methods and Structure Must mirror organisational structure Mix direct / indirect methods Dictated by substance Single or parallel arrangements Multi-tiered organisations
Handling Restructuring Must mesh with existing laws e.g. Redundancy, TUPE Same or separate committee
Confidentiality Most information is not confidential Responsibilities, obligations and … penalties Management to “spell out” confidential issues
Resolving Disputes Nature of dispute Substance, decision or process Internal procedure Acas
Maintaining Effectiveness Management commitment Training Making a difference Review, monitoring, evaluation
Getting Started : Options Do nothing! Aim for pre-existing agreement “inform and seek views” Negotiated agreement “inform and consult” Standard fall back provisions “inform and consult on …”
Checklist for getting started Why are we doing this? Commitment of Senior Management Involvement / support of Workforce What do people want? Define what is information, consultation and negotiation Define range of options, direct / indirect methods, representative structures Develop draft structure Does proposed structure support existing practices / procedures
Checklist for getting started (continued) Secure workforce approval! Majority support of employees voting in ballot Majority of signatures Agreement of employee representatives who represent the majority of the workforce
Information and Consultation – What is Acas doing? In-depth sessions Round tables Training materials Good practice guidance ‘Health check’ visits Workplace training
Further sources of information Acas helpline Acas website DTI website National Minimum Wage Equality Direct 08457 47 47 47 www.acas.org.uk www.dti.gov.uk/er 08457 6000 678 08456 00 34 44