SWP treats the workplace as a high potential platform to address multiple business and sustainability issues by promoting strong relationships between management and employees and facilitating change and improved conditions at the workplace. Using this approach, numerous employers in complex markets have inspired local companies and suppliers to use the workplace as a platform for change and open dialogue. The programme provides the facilitating support – its the companies that does the work – from policy to practice. SWP connects participating and interested companies to share their best practices and lessons learned while contributing towards sustable work in complex markets.
From strategic focus to practical approach
We have a sustainable vision
Companies that invest in their employees and promote decent work become employers of choice and play an active role in the social and economic transformation of their local context. These investments ensure that business is sustainable beyond the bottom line all the way to
SWP establishes, trains and develops workplace committees based on mutual respect, commitment, and international labour standards. Committees are made up of both management and employees. Key principles through the process are facilitation, participation and partnership.
The practical approach, read more at The SWP Approach, of engaging workplaces to develop and implement successful programmes is through working with employer and worker representatives with an emphasis on collaboration and dialogue between the parties. This approach ensures buy-in and commitment which promotes policy and programme adoption.
It all starts with an analysis of where the workplace currently is and where it wants to be. By having a platform where joint goals are formulated, management and elected employee representatives can change the attitudes to improve the workplace environment and business operations.
SWP collects, analyses, and disseminates good practices and strategic approaches to support companies in transition and those striving for decent work within their business.
The programme
This is a joint effort between the International Council of Swedish Industry (NIR) and the Metal and Industrial Workers Union, IF Metal. The SWP builds upon 14 years of work programmes experience in 11 different countries in 600 workplaces. As a member based non-profit organisation, NIR’s programme SWP is funded by Sida – a Swedish government agency with the mission to reduce poverty in the world.
Today, the SWP is operational in different regions around the world with hubs located in South Africa, Kenya, Vietnam, and Colombia.
International Council of Swedish Industry
NIR is a member based non-profit organisation. NIR’s current members consist of nine of Sweden’s largest exporting companies, as well as the Export Credit Agency (EKN), Svensk exportkredit (SEK), and SEB.
NIR has been operating for sixty years in the nexus between aid and trade and interacting with a multitude of stakeholders ranging from governments, agencies, academia, and NGOs, as well as business in Sweden and in partner countries. NIR has been partnering with trade unions for more than a decade.
IF Metall Link to if metall.se
The Metal and Industrial workers union, IF Metall, partners with NIR in the Swedish Workplace Programme to provide expertise and experience in the Swedish Model including Social dialogue that leads to decent work.
How the programme can contribute
Companies
The SWP understands the complex challenges global companies face in relaying, promoting, and enforcing their policies and guidelines within their various operations around the world. We offer the often-needed support in facilitating stronger relationships between management and employees. Our team works intimately with the local operation to identify areas of improvement in the workplace while developing activities and employee driven initiatives to achieve the desired goals and objectives.
Our efforts aim to have a far reaching effect not only within the local workplace but within the greater community as well. Participating companies benefit from our extensive SWP network through shared best practices and lessons learned and how they contributed towards achieving decent and sustainable work in emerging markets.
How the parternership works
- The role of SWP
- Establish a workplace committee comprised of both management and employees
- Facilitate dialogues within the committee
- Support the committee with expertise and training “free of charge”
- Provide continuous support to the company for 12-18 months
- Evaluate results to improve the programme on a continuous basis
Role of the partner company
- Commit to implementation of the programme
- Take ownership of the programme at the conclusion of the 12-18 months
- Allocate time, resources and logistical support to the programme
Cost sharing model
The company/workplaces will contribute with their working time, personnel venue and catering, and commitment to sharing their experience with peers. However, it is important to note that not all workplaces (i.e. Small-Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and value chains) may have the physical infrastructure to host some trainings and activities; in that case, SWP may contribute towards conferencing and logistics. SWP’s contributions include facilitation of, and support for trainings and activities.
No financial transactions are made between the parties.
Benefits
The main beneficiaries of the programme are the local employees and management. Other beneficiaries are members of local unions and suppliers.
A strengthened dialogue structure will have a lasting positive impact on the labour market at large as democratic values and dialogues become standardised.
As trust and understanding increases between employers and employees, conflict decreases, and a new kind of partnership develops in the workplace.
By implementing a dialogue structure at the workplace level, the beneficiaries are given increased opportunities to express their concerns, to organise, and to communicate their needs. This method enables the workplace to be well prepared to handle change, whether it is planned for or unforeseen.
Together, the dialogue and thematic areas are expected to increase conditions for decent work and sustainable business operations.
At the conclusion of a workplace programme the following results are expected:
- Increased productivity
- Proven methods to handle conflicts
- Proven methods to prevent delays
- Actions to manage change processes
- Established sustainability goals and action-oriented plans for how to achieve them
- Focus on talent management
- Reduced absenteeism
- Increased trust from customers and other stakeholders.
- Integration of peer to peer exchanges on workplace and sustainability strategies.
- Ability to use committee experience to engage in company policy development
At the conclusion of a workplace programme the following results are expected:
- Increased productivity
- Proven methods to handle conflicts
- Proven methods to prevent delays
- Actions to manage change processes
- Established sustainability goals and action-oriented plans for how to achieve them
- Focus on talent management
- Reduced absenteeism
- Increased trust from customers and other stakeholders.
- Integration of peer to peer exchanges on workplace and sustainability strategies.
- Ability to use committee experience to engage in company policy development
Sustainble business platforms Sharing best practice
SWP provides platforms and networks to catalyse companies into joint strategic discussions on solutions and improvements, and acts to address local sustainability and related workplace challenges.
Your company does not have to be involved in a Workplace programme to join the sharing session called Sustainble Business platform. The Sustainble Business platforms will be arranged in each region for companies that all want to address sustainability challenges and generate results in the field of ESGs.
