10. Modern voice mechanisms

The introduction of modern voice mechanisms can affect a broad set of business issues. In two-thirds of the organisations studied, managers reported some improvement in employee attitudes as a result. A school headteacher told the researchers that a development planning day involving all staff had been instrumental in changing the ethos of the school. The potential for employee voice to contribute directly to securing extra business was mentioned several times, particularly in smaller organisations.

Further research will be needed on the nature of the links between employee voice and performance, but managers certainly believe there are positive effects. As one respondent said: We are spending plenty of money on [staff] engagement at the moment, because we believe this adds value. It can be seen in terms of performance and the way the business sparkles the way that people answer letters and deal with customers over the telephone, their feelings of ownership and pride.