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Framework for staff engagement

• Key Points
• Making the difference
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Why is it important?

Once the service improvement issues have been agreed, it is important to establish a framework for staff engagement. This can help to ensure that employees have established processes by which they can play a continued role in the change programme.

In all workplaces, employees have expertise and knowledge about the service. By using this effectively, employees can be instrumental in identifying constraints and finding solutions. This is why a framework for staff engagement is so important - because without it, staff may not have the opportunity to make their views heard.

In brief, a framework for staff involvement should involve:

• Establishing the processes for staff engagement;
• Mapping their effectiveness;
• Empowering both sides to engage;
• Establishing roles and responsibilities and accountability; and
• Implementing service improvements together.

In order to operate effectively on a joint basis, all parties have to be able to set aside past history and conflicts. This will be easier when the mutual benefits of making a fresh start are clear and when shared goals for the future are agreed. External facilitation can play a key role in helping this process to take place.

By working together within agreed 'rules of engagement' which respect for differing points of view, both sides should start to can develop mutual respect which in turns leads to greater trust.

It is important that both sides acknowledge that they have legitimate interests which may not always coincide. Managers may be answerable to elected councillors or board members and trade union representatives are accountable to their membership. Effective joint working means avoiding putting either party in an untenable position and finding acceptable ways to resolve problems.