Embedding the provision of information and consultation in the workplace: a longitudinal analysis of employee outcomes in 1998 and 2004

Based on an analysis of the Workplace Employment Relations Survey, this report finds strong positive links between the ‘breadth’ and ‘depth’ of some information and consultation practices and employee commitment. Employee ratings of the helpfulness of some consultation and communication methods are positively linked to job satisfaction and commitment. Employee ratings of managers’ effectiveness in consulting employees and employees’ satisfaction with their involvement in decision-making are also positively linked with job satisfaction and commitment, suggesting that the way in which information and consultation methods are implemented is just as important as the type of practices used.This report was commissioned by DTI under the Workplace Employment Relations Survey (WERS) 2004 Grants Fund. The Fund is a Department of Trade and Industry initiative to develop the evidence base in areas of policy interest, raise awareness of this survey and encourage advanced data analysis based on the WERS 2004 datasets.