IS THERE FEAR of repercussion for expressing views openly? Has rapport and interaction become strained due to individuals' political affiliations? Are employees anxious for an election date?
These are just a few of the questions companies will be faced with this week as the Jamaica Employers' Federation (JEF) launches an industry-wide survey to ascertain the effects that pre-election tension is having on workplace activity.
"The survey will determine whether workplace performance and productivity have been affected due to real or imagined problems brought on by the upcoming elections and general campaigning activities," according to a release issued on Monday.
Executive Director of the JEF, Jacqueline Lloyd, told The Gleaner that "no formal complaints" of any related issues had been received by the Federation but insisted that such a survey was necessary.
"Jamaica needs to produce its way out of its problems," she said, explaining that if problems relating to election activities does exist in the workplace it must be estimated and dealt with.
"As the general election is of national importance," she stated, "we have decided to include non-member companies in our survey."
Paymaster, Manpower and Maintenance Services, Wray and Nephew, Shell, Carib Cement, Guardsman and Cable and Wireless are among the 14 companies taking part in the project which it is hoped will allow the JEF to organise discussions, advisory services, mini-workshops and "lobby government" with a view to solving any problems that surface.
"By the end of the first week in September, the findings will be made public followed by a structured series of intense press interviews and discussions making recommendations," stated Herbert Lewis, President of the JEF.
The JEF was formed in April 1958 to represent and safeguard the interest of employers in their relationship with Government and organised labour. Today the organisation has over 150 corporate and individual members and is the representative organisation of employers on issues related to the workplace and employee relations.
