BUSINESSES can no longer afford to indulge in "1970s style bargaining" about change, the Irish Business and Employers' Confederation (IBEC) has said.

The concept of payment for change is "unacceptable" in the modern, competitive world and employers must gain the commitment of employees through better communication, IBEC said.

The document said that a system of regular, relevant and reliable two way communication is the bed rock on which successful organisations should be based. Communication should not be left for "times of crisis" only. It must be established as a normal, day today activity, and it should be second nature for every manager to listen to feedback and communicate this up the line.

Employees should be briefed on the company's performance, organisational policy, business strategy, market factors, trends business plans and any key changes or developments in personnel, the document recommended. Other topics should include output and sales, quality issues, customer complaints, attendance records, punctuality and work schedules.