The Workplace Employment Relations Study (WERS) 2011 | Participants

WERS has taken place on five previous occasions over the last 30 years. WERS 2011 will involve 3,000 organisations across the length and breadth of Britain.

The results will track developments in employment relations since the last study in 2004 and help to inform government policy and employment legislation developments.

WERS provides information gained from thousands of interviews on issues such as:

• The procedures for dealing with employee grievances and disciplinary issues
• The HR consultation practices for managing and determining salaries
• Internal relations between managers and staff, trade unions and potential members, and between employee representatives and other staff

NatCen has been commissioned to carry out the study. If your organisation has received a letter inviting you to participate, we will contact you shortly to arrange a convenient appointment for an interviewer to speak with you.

This is a strictly confidential research study. Neither your details nor those of your organisation will be passed on to any third party, nor will you be identifiable in the study's findings.

WERS seeks information from managers, employees and employee representatives to give a rounded picture of employment relations and practices.

WERS is a valuable benchmarking tool. It will help you compare your workplace employment relations performance and practices with other workplaces, both in your sector and across the country.

WERS provides information gained from thousands of interviews on issues such as:
• The procedures for dealing with employee grievances and disciplinary issues
• The HR consultation practices for managing and determining salaries
• Internal relations between managers and staff, trade unions and potential members, and between employee representatives and other staff

A WERS research representative will be in touch with you soon to discuss any queries you might have, and to set up an appointment.

For more information, contact 0800 783 5890, or email researchteam@wers2011.org.uk

WERS is the most definitive and influential study of employment relations in Great Britain. WERS consults almost 3,000 workplaces across Britain to understand employment relations and to help shape national employment policy.

Your workplace has been chosen to be part of the scientifically selected sample, and a manager at your workplace has been interviewed. We are inviting you, along with a number of your colleagues at this workplace, to complete this questionnaire.

No one else can take your place. We have chosen, at random, a small group of people to represent your workplace. If you are employed by a small organisation, we would like all employees at your workplace to complete the questionnaire. We have chosen people in this way so that we cover the full range of employees - all levels of seniority and job functions. Without you, the study will be missing an important element so, by participating, you will help to ensure this study is as accurate and informative as possible.

WERS is a chance to have your voice heard.

WERS will deliver information gained from thousands of interviews on issues such as:
• How workplaces coped during the recent recession
• The HR practices which will help employee productivity and satisfaction in the future
• Methods for consulting with employees and managing changes within workplaces

WERS is a valuable benchmarking tool. It will help you compare your workplace employment relations performance and practices with other workplaces, both in your sector and across the country.

Your opinions will also help employers reflect on their workplace and employment relations, increase commitment to staff, and make informed changes to company practices.

Employees can complete the questionnaire on paper or online. Whilst all answers will remain confidential, you may seek assistance from friends or family to help complete it. If you are in need of assistance in completing the questionnaire (online or on paper), please call our free phone helpline: 0800 7835890, or you can email us at
researchteam@wers2011.org.uk.