WPM Its meaning:

It is a system of communication and consultation both formal and informal by which

employees of an organization are kept informed about the affairs of the understanding
and through which they express their opinion and contribute to management decisions
(Mamoria). It is a mental and emotional involvement of a person in a group situation
which encourages him to contribute to goals and share responsibilities in them (Davis).
According to Clearance Francis, Chairman of General Food Corporation, You can buy a
mans time, you can buy a mans physical presence at a given place, you can even buy a
measured number of skilled muscular motions per day or per hour. But you cannot buy
devotion of hearts, minds and souls; you have to earn all these things.
## Participation has three ideas:
It is more psychological than physical.
It motivates person to contribute to achievement of organization by
creative suggestions and initiatives
It encourages people to accept responsibility.
It is a team working together for a common purpose. It is an idea of
industrial democracy where workers have greater say over their work
situation.
Participation may take place at policy level (corporate level), administration level
(departmental level) and operative level (shop floor level). At the corporate level, long
range strategic policy decisions are taken. Here, workers participate indirectly through
electing or nominating worker-directors on corporate boards. At the departmental level
also participation is indirect (work committees, joint labor-management consultative
committee).
At the shop-floor level workers participate in the decisions relating to day to operations
directly through job enrichment, job enlargement, job rotation, job redesign, semiautonomous work group.
Participation may be formal or informal. Formal participation has a formal institutional
basis. The formal approach may be independent of legal sanction or supported by
legislation. Informal participation takes place at the instance of the owner generally takes
the form of consultation.

Benefits of WPM:
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It satisfies the workers social and esteem needs.

It increases motivation of workers.
It ensures the utilization of human resource.
It is a panacea for solving industrial relation problem.
It is a device to counter balance powers of managers.

Essential conditions for successful WPM:

1. There should be a strong trade union so that workers can take part in collective
bargaining.
2. Multiple unions in one enterprise should be restricted by legislative measures.
3. Both parties should have genuine faith in the system and in each other and be
willing to work together.
4. Management should provide all information connected with the working of the
industry and the worker should handle that information with full confidence and
responsibility.
5. The workers should become aware of their responsibilities.
6. Training and education should be given to the workers so that they can think
deeply and logically and feel emotionally.
7. The follow-up action on the decisions of the participation forums should be
ensured.
Forms of participation:
a) CBA: Theoretically, CBA is based on the principle of balance of power. But
practically each party tries to win over the other party. The business organizations
of USA mainly use this form.
b) Work Committee: Consists of representatives of employers and employees. Their
functions include discussion of conditions of work like safety, canteen, welfare,
provident fund, etc.
c) Joint Management Council: Mainly these bodies are consultative and advisory
with decision making being left to top management. It exists in Britain, India,
Japan, Bangladesh
d) Board Representation: Its effectiveness depends upon his ability to participate
indecision making, his knowledge in the company affairs, his educational
background, his level of understanding and on the number of workers in the
board.
e) Profit Sharing: Page 298 and Page 301 ( The Bangladesh labor code)