Entwicklung, Herausforderungen und Perspektiven der Leistungsregulierung

Traditionally, workers’ performance in Tayloristic forms of production has been regulated by defining “normal performance” according to management and works councils, referring to standards of decent work given in collective bargaining agreements. This practice took place mainly in big companies and was based on co-determination rights of works councils to regulate performance in the production areas. The article argues that this style of performance regulation is eroding for several reasons, including new forms of rationalizsation, the crisis of performance-based pay and, above all, the growth of areas not covered by the traditional compromise such as white-collar and service work in which performance demands are on the rise. However, new developments in the strategies of unions and works councils can be observed that might support a revitalisation of performance regulation. The author appeals for a renewal of performance regulation based on the participation of employees and on close interaction between trade unions and works councils. To this end, performance regulation has to play a more important strategic role in the employee representative bodies, focusing on influencing the staffing issues in the companies.