The Evolving Landscape of Worker’s Voice: From Unions to Alternative Platforms | WIP Seminar

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Worker voice — the ability to influence decisions affecting one’s work — has become a critical yet undervalued aspect of the modern employment relationship. Studies reveal a growing "voice gap" in Canada, where employees’ desired influence often exceeds what they experience in practice. This study employs a mixed-methods approach, combining a large-scale US-Canada survey, pre- and post-surveys, and a citizen assembly to identify barriers to worker voice and co-develop actionable policy recommendations.

In the National Assembly for Workplace Democracy (NAWD), participants engaged with experts, stakeholders, and peers to explore barriers to voice, including systemic challenges faced by marginalized groups, and to propose evidence-based solutions. A diverse group of Canadians were selected through a civic lottery and deliberated over workplace issues during structured sessions. NAWD’s draft recommendations advocate for systemic reforms, including stronger labor protections, worker representation on boards, inclusive practices for marginalized workers, and tools and training to adapt to emerging technologies.

Although the adoption of alternative platforms for worker voice remains limited, these alternatives are viewed favorably by some employees, demonstrating potential to complement or enhance traditional union roles. These insights highlight the evolving landscape of worker representation and the importance of developing tailored policies and alternative mechanisms to effectively facilitate worker’s voice.

Bio: Dr. Dikla Yogev is a sociologist currently holding a postdoctoral position at the University of Toronto with expertise in social network analysis and advanced statistics. Her research has been published in peer-reviewed journals such as Contemporary Jewry, Policing & Society, and International Criminology, focusing on topics concerning religious communities, the police, and the state.  

In addition to the CIRHR's National Assembly on Workplace Democracy Project, she is also serving as the project manager for the SSHRC funded "Bais Yaakov Project" led by Prof. Naomi Seidman in the Department for the Study of Religion. Her current research is centered on community organization, social networks, and democracy, employing various methods including digital and computational techniques.