Dr. M. S. Millerasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he is now able to make a statement on the activities of the work research unit.
§ Mr. John FraserThe work research unit has been set up within the Department of Employment, following a recommendation of the Tripartite Steering Group on Job Satisfaction. It will offer assistance to organisations on redesigning jobs and organising work in order to increase job satisfaction. The unit will be fully operational by the end of the year and it is already in contact with a number of firms.
The work research unit will provide information on developments on new forms of work organisation both in the United Kingdom and abroad. Through its advisory service, the unit will offer assistance to managements and trade unions in examining the scope for increas- 22W ing job satisfaction, the potential benefits and possible ways of bringing about change. If required, it will help organisations to plan and carry out projects.
The unit is co-ordinating the job satisfaction research programme initiated by the tripartite steering group. This programme, to which £180,000 has been allocated, will consist of a series of research projects on job design and work organisation. Projects will be carried out by university departments and research institutes in a variety of industrial locations. The research staff involved will also be available to assist the work research unit in its activities.
The staff of the unit includes people with a background in industrial relations, behavioural science and industrial engineering all of whom have had practical experience of dealing with problems in industry.
The services of the work research unit are available without charge to managements and trade unions in industry, commerce and the public sector.