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By Michael Wvcks1 SmalI is beautiful; less is more-1 in ' the area of workplace satisfaction,5 these familiar maxims have a big following. This, according to a survey con- ducted by the Angus Reid Group on behalf of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, which found small, unstructured workplaces as the preferred working environmient for Canadians. Specific aspects of job satisfaction rated higher by small busi- ness employees include openness of management, workplace morale, flex- ibility of working hours and the avail- ability of -advancement opportunities. CFIB senior economist, Ted Mallett, says the survey findings should not be considered surprising. "Workplaces function best when the fimes of communication are open and levels of trust between employees and their managers is strong, " Mallett says. "The larger a firm grows, the harder these issues are to control and the greater the possibility of problems emerging. Contrast that with 10 employees working for a small firm. They are far more likely to be very satisfied with the openness of manage- ment than workers in large organiza- tions. " In a small firm, Mallett points out, business owners usually share thse same workspace as their employees and are therefore in direct contact with them. Problems can be quickly iden- tified and deait with. The survey also revealed that an overwhelmîng 92 per cent of Cana- dians are either verv satisfied or PUBLIC NOTICE TOWN 0F NEWCASTLE 1992 MUNICIPAL GRANT PROGRAM Community organizations interested in being considered under the 1992 Town af Newcastle Municipal Grant Program may pick Up a grant application form at the Community Services Department, Iocated on the 3rd Floor af the Municipal Administration Centre (40 Temperance Street, Bowmanville). The deadline for application submission is: Friday, Novemnber 15, 1991 4:30 P. M. Completed applications are ta be submitted ta the Cammunity Services Department by the deadline date. Further information is avalable by contacting the Community Services Department at 623- 3379. ARo '-es of Publication: Ad., October 2"/1 Wed., October 30/91 P.0. 4259 moderately satisfied wth their occu- pation. With this high degree of job satisfaction, it should also be no sur- prise to find that most workers see no nieed for umionization. Seventy-five per cent of employees in small firms (with fewer than 10 workers), for example, do not wish to be unionized, compared with only 19 per cent who do. Mallett cites thse strength of informai working relationships as an important factor against unionization. "A work environment which allows employees and managers to find their own solutions to problems is far superior to those covered by union representation or strict government work ruies," says Mallett. "Small firms, for the most part, seem to develop strong employer-employee relationships that rely on mutual trust, respect and coordination. The employees have a say in the operation Of' the business and, therefore, have little need or desire for the confron- tational. bureaucratic, structured approach of unions." What's obvious from looking at the results of CFIB's survey is that blan- ket regulations in the workplace are no solution. Why? Because conditions and approaches to labor management relations in smnall fîrms are vastly différent from those in larger ones. Government regulations modelled on large, unionized workplaces are inap- propriate for sinall informal work set- tings and can actually work against the best interests of mnost employees by limiting their ability to control their own jobs and careers. Mallett concludes: "Governmients commnitted to promoting harmonious labor relations would be wîse to start looking to the small business work- place as their model." CFIB Feature Service NOW IS NOT THE TIME TO QUIT. 1BUT A TIME TO COMMIT This Community Deserves Your Attention It's a Good Place to Live Let's Make It Botter VOTE CHARLES EWERT For Local Couicillor, Ward 3 For information oeil 987-1285 AUTHORIZEC 5V C.F.O. RE-ELECT MAYOR CURRENT POSITIONS HELD Member Public Uilities Commission Town of Newcasle Chairman Trnsportation Task Force Region of Durham Chairman Planning - Region of Durham Chairman Fie Deparment - Town of Newcasfle PAST POSIIONS HELO Chairman of Special Hydra Review Commiftee Region of Durham Member of the Nulear Task Force - Region of Durham Member - Executive Comnmifee of Central Lake Ontarie - Conservation Authority Member - Bord of Directors of CLOCA Member - Porks Policy Committee - Town of Newcastle Regien of Durham Appointee To Durham District Heolth Council Vice Cliairman - Durham Region Non Profit Housing Chairman, Poject Team - Construction of Bowmanvile Arena Complex Any questions contact / Marie Hubbard /4~TSLA Campaign Headquarters %@Pè4 697-1456 697m-459 Authorized by th C.F.O. for Marie Ilubbard Good things corne in sniall premises