Workers can't jump 'influence gap' over pay

26 October 2004

Australian workers are content with their level of influence over employment conditions, but are dissatisfied with the influence they have over their pay, according to a Monash University survey.

This 'influence gap' is highest when it comes to pay rises, with 71 per cent of workers reporting that they desire greater levels of influence than they actually have; and 67 per cent wanting greater levels of influence over decisions on perks and bonuses.

The Australian Worker Representation and Participation Survey asked employees about their actual influence over various elements of work, and, their desired level of influence over these same elements. The survey was conducted by Monash University's Australian Centre for Research in Employment and Work (ACREW).

"The perceived lack of influence over how much they are paid is a very important issue, given the cultural shift to workplace agreements and individual bargaining," said Professor Julian Teicher, who was speaking at the official launch of ACREW on Wednesday, 27 October, at Federation Square, Melbourne.

Most workers -- 85.7 per cent -- reported they had 'a lot' or 'some' influence over how to do their job and the organisation of their work; and 73.3 per cent said they had a lot or some influence over the pace at which they worked.

A smaller proportion, 64.5 per cent, reported having an influence over how to work with new equipment and software; and 61.8 per cent reported influence over their working hours, breaks, overtime and time off.

ACREW was established in recognition of the significance of employment and work issues. With more than 40 academic staff, the Monash centre is one of the largest Australian concentrations of researchers in the field of work and employment.

ACREW's research portfolio spans the public, private and not-for-profit sectors and the broad disciplines of industrial and employee relations, human resource management and organisational behaviour.

For further information call Ms Querida Seip, Business and Economics faculty, on +61 3 9903 2265 or 0438 009 621; or Ms Robyn Anns, Media Communications, on +61 3 9905 9317 or 0417 568 781.