The conceptualisation of Employee Voice in Permacrisis: A UK Perspective

Originally defined as the effort to effect change by Albert Hirschman, the meaning of the term 'voice' has evolved over the years. Later writers such as Freeman and Medoff describe the concept as the articulation of workers' concern. In this chapter, we present a synthesis and overview of some of the early conceptualisations of employee voice and unionism in the UK. We examine the current state and project the future of employee voice and unionism in the UK. The chapter reveals that the concept of voice has been significantly reinvented by modern-day scholars. The study also finds that though employee voice is relevant today, however, in most cases, it only serves the interest of organisations. The study further reveals the lack of will on the part of the management to implement employees' demands expressed through their voices during permacrisis. The chapter draws conclusion and discuss the implications.