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.
