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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1981
JOINT CONSULTATION HELPS MANAGEMENT
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THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT HAS SET UP A PROMOTION UNIT IN ITS LABOUR RELATIONS SERVICE TO ADVISE AND ASSIST ORGANISATIONS AND BUSINESSES TO SET UP MORE JOINT CONSULTATION MACHINERY.
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THE SERVICE PROVIDED BY THE UNIT IS AVAILABLE FREE OF CHARGE TO BOTH EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES, A LABOUR OFFICER OF THE LABOUR RELATIONS SERVICE, MR MAK SAI-YIU, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) WHILE ADDRESSING A LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT CLUB OF THE HONG KONG MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION.
HE SAID THE UNIT KEEPS ITS METHODS OF PROMOTING EMPLOYEE RELATIONS FLEXIBLE AND TAILORS ITS APPROACH TO SUIT THE SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE COMPANIES.
JOINT CONSULTATION, MR MAK EXPLAINED, IS A PROCESS OF DISCUSSION BETWEEN MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES ON MATTERS OF MUTUAL CONCERN, PROVIDING A RECOGNISED TWO-WAY FLOW OF INFORMATION AND IDEAS FOR THE EFFICIENT OPERATION OF THE ORGANISATION.
HE POINTED OUT THAT JOINT CONSULTATION SERVE SEVERAL FUNCTIONS.
FIRST, IT PROVIDES A MANAGEMENT WITH AN ADDITIONAL SOURCE OF USEFUL INFORMATION AND SAFETY-VALVE WHERE COMMUNICATION IS ABOUT TO BREAK DOWN.
SECONDLY IT PROVIDES A MEANS FOR MANAGEMENT TO TRANSMIT TO EMPLOYEES INFORMATION AND EXPLANATION WHICH WILL HELP THE LATTER TO FORM A MORE BALANCED ATTITUDE TOWARDS THE JOB OR THEIR MANAGEMENT.
MR MAK SAID JOINT CONSULTATION IS ALSO ONE MEANS BY WHICH EMPLOYERS COULD OBTAIN A CLEARER PICTURE OF THE ASPIRATIONS, OPINIONS AND ATTITUDES OF THE STAFF.
HE SAID ALL COMPANIES NEED INFORMATION FOR ITS DECISIONS, SUCH AS OPINIONS AND ATTITUDES OF THE WORK FORCE.
MR MAK SAID IN MATTERS AFFECTING THEIR WELL-BEING, EMPLOYEES HAVE A LEGITIMATE RIGHT TO AN OPINION. COMING FROM THE SHOPFLOOR, THE STAFF HAVE INFORMATION WHICH IS NOT READILY AVAILABLE TO TOP MANAGEMENT.
HE WARNED THAT MANAGEMENT THAT DID NOT USE THIS SOURCE OF INFORMATION DID SO AT ITS OWN PERIL.
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