Health Research Board

The Health Research Board actively encourages the use of the Partnership process as a means of communicating between staff and management.

The concept of partnership in the public sector was agreed by the social partners in 1997 as part of the national social partnership for 1997–2000 which says:

It is recognised that successful change must be based on a partnership approach both at the overall Public Service level and within individual organisations. The objective is to achieve joint ownership by management, unions and staff of the entire process. To this end, an adversarial approach to change must be replaced by an open, co-operative process based on effective consultation and participation by all concerned.  Similar arrangements, tailored to meet the particular needs of each sector, will have to be put in place for the wider Public Service. Appropriate training will also be provided for management, unions and staff to facilitate the development of these arrangements.’ (Partnership 2000 [Department of the Taoiseach, 1997]: Chapter 10.16)

The Partnership Committee was established in the HRB on 23 February 2000 and the committee meets approximately nine times a year.

• Propose or shape changes in the ways the HRB operates, to ensure that it continues to be relevant to the needs of its clients
• Build trust between staff and management, to ensure that all members of the HRB move forward together in an evolving organisation

The Partnership Committee will achieve its purpose by:

• Providing another forum in the HRB for discussion, consultation and communications for staff and management
• Suggesting new ideas or ways of doing things
• Considering the best option for the future of the HRB as a whole, balancing the interests of various stakeholders
• Advising and making recommendations to management on how changes are introduced to the organisation
• Bringing issues to the attention of the Management Committee for resolution

Scope of Interests

The Partnership Committee may discuss issues pertaining to the way the HRB conducts its business and manages its operations. Topics that have been addressed to date include: the health and safety policy, teleworking, waste management policy, workplace facilities and HR policies such as performance management, promotions, career development, the induction process and a respect and dignity policy.

The Partnership Committee may make recommendations to the Management Committee, which is the decision-making body within the HRB. It is not a negotiating forum, and does not deal with:

• Terms and conditions
• IR Issues
• Specific interpersonal issues