The changing patterns of employee voice: a comparative perspective from the UK and Ireland.

In this paper we examine a wide range of employee voice mechanisms from a total of 18 case studies. The evidence suggests that employee voice is more extensive in terms of its ‘scope’ and ‘impact’ than a decade ago, although the ‘level’ at which employees have a say remains the preserve of managerial control. We also suggest that regulation (in the form of EU Directives) and the role of trade unions (in terms of partnership arrangements) acts as both a conduit for more effective employee contributions, as well as stimulating more creative managerial choices about employee voice. More problematic however is the link between voice and organisational performance.