disclosure of information

disclosure of information

any release of information from one party to another. Usually it refers to release of management information relevant to COLLECTIVE BARGAINING and potentially useful to trade union negotiators. In the UK, managers are statutorily required to release information, if requested, to union representatives; otherwise, collective bargaining would be impeded. However, managers are allowed to withhold certain categories of information, for example that which would be commercially damaging if released, and are entitled to withhold original documentation from scrutiny. The mechanisms for unions to challenge withholding of information on these grounds are cumbersome and in fact rarely used.

Employers are statutorily required to consult trade unions or other elected employee representatives when it has been decided to make a number of employees redundant. 30 days' notice is required if 10-100 employees in any establishment are to be made redundant, 90 days if over 100. Management is required to state formally the reason for redundancy, how many employees will be made redundant and what methods will be used to select employees for redundancy. See REDUNDANCY, CONSULTATION, COMMUNICATION, VREDELING DIRECTIVE.