Redefining Workplace Democracy

Summary:
    A better way to achieve workplace democracy and improve working satisfaction is to implement democratic policy in two dimensions: inner-group and inter-groups.


I went to several information sessions hosted by different companies last couple of weeks. In information session, the company will introduce who it is looking for and what the requirement is, as well as some basic information of the company, such as what it does, where it is, and most importantly, how it works. Nearly all the companies that held information session, ranging from local retail store to cloud service provider, proudly describe their working environment as "everyone has access to everyone", "no separated rooms for individuals or departments", "feel free to bring your pet to work", "you can literally talk to the CEO if you would".

Regardless of whether or not they are telling the truth about their companies, they seems to be sharing the same belief that workplace democracy is desirable and attractive. Basically, they illustrate workplace democracy by describing how easy it is to reach out to people on different position or in different department, by depicting their office as a place where you can do whatever you what to, even if it is nothing related to your nor others' work at all.

In my opinion, however, this kind of "employee friendly" working environment has nothing to deal with the concept of democracy. Think democracy and what comes to mind is an image of people lining up at voting booths to pick their country's next leader. In dictionary, democracy is defined as "fair and equal treatment of everyone in an organization, etc, and their right to take part in making decision". Workplace democracy is not necessarily about everyone works happily and comfortable, nor about having the right to bring pets to work and to work in the same room as executives. Instead, workplace democracy is more about the way workmates collaborate and make decisions. Well, I am not saying it is not important to make sure people work in a good mood, but claiming the freedom in office is probably creating an illusion of workplace democracy, similar to political situations in which too much freedom will lead to chaos instead of democracy.

How to actually improve workplace democracy instead of just making the office policy and environment "employee friendly"? In order to benefit both employer and employee, I suggest democracy inside a group and democracy inter-groups, due to two reasons: it helps achieve workplace democracy and makes firm more productive.

Inside the same group, there are relatively small number of people, sharing largely the same focus in work. Making possible immediate access to other workmates, democratic managing policy helps a department work efficiently and collaboratively. However, it is not realistic to have everyone easily accessible, especially in large firms. Each group should have a representative who serves as the link among groups. In this way, democracy is achieved in a great order and a reasonable way. In most cases, a group is probably a department in a firm, or a couple of people who have to work collaboratively during most of their time in office.

Productivity is the ultimate emphasis in a firm. It is obvious that employer is willing to make productive workplace policy; however, I believe that by working productively, employers are more likely to feel engaged, satisfied and achieved. Happiness brought by productive working is more meaningful and long-lasting compared to that brought by the right to bring a dog to work.

By separating workplace democracy into two dimensions - inner-group and inter-groups, a democratic and satisfying working environment will be possible.