The Information and Consultation of Employees Regulations, also
known as the ICE Regulations, came into force in April last year
for companies with over 150 employees. They will be extended to
firms with 100 or more employees in 2007 and those with 50 or more
in 2008.
In general, the Regulations give employers and employees a free
hand to agree on the subjects, timing and method of consultation;
set up arrangements that apply to several companies as a group; and
agree different consultation arrangements in different parts of a
company, for example, at different locations or covering different
parts of the workforce.
The DTI’s new scheme will see around 20,000 businesses – all
with over 150 employees – invited to visit ‘information and
consultation champions’, including Coors Brewers, AstraZeneca and
Tesco, to see for themselves the benefits of implementing systems
to inform and consult employees.
A new website will be launched to provide supporting information
such as case studies and the answers to frequently asked questions.
Practical tools, such as Acas training workshops, will also be
provided.
"Employees have the right to be informed and consulted on a
regular basis about issues in the organisation they work for,” said
Employment Minister Gerry Sutcliffe.
"Information and Consultation is not a 'feel good' optional
extra. Good consultation makes a real difference to both the
welfare of employees and the productivity of business,” he added.
“These visits will give companies the opportunity to see the
benefits for themselves and understand how best to operate
excellent employee involvement practices in their workplaces."
According to a survey of 330 firms carried out for the DTI, 95%
of respondents believe "involving, informing and consulting with
staff on a regular basis would be a good thing for their
organisation". Frequently cited benefits included improved work
environment, a boost in staff motivation and morale, and improved
communications.
Ninety-seven percent of respondents admitted they could do more
to involve their staff, while 73% claimed to have some degree of
formal information and consultation arrangements set up to
communicate with employees.
