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FLEXIBILITY and SECURITY
a challenge for SME’s
Dr. J. Glazemakers
We all have to combine needs for flexibility and security, and this is true both in our
private live and in our occupational life.
SME’s, small and medium sized enterprises, have their own specific needs,
limitations, opportunities and practical options in the way they respond to the
combination of flexibility and security needs.
A SMALL FIRM IS NOT A LITTLE BIG FIRM
(Harvard)
Traditionally one is inclined to rather locate the need for flexibility in the economy
(the enterprise and its market) and to locate the need for security in the worker.
SME
In jobs:
Employer Need for flexibility
Adaptability to market demands
new jobs
In tasks
In production volume
In geographical location
…
SME
Worker Need for security
Job security
Family life security
Safety and health on the job
…
I would very much like to pay some attention to two other needs that are present.
- the need of the SME for security
- the need of our worker for flexibility
SME
-
Emoloyer Need for security
securing his workforce
keeping know how in house
securing future existence of firm
bridging times of absence of employer
maintaining trust and friendship
…
SME
-
Employee Need for flexibility
self fullfilment; job richness
family life occasions
private life style and hobbies
varying financial needs
…
I would suggest that in SME’s both the employer and the employee seem to have
definite needs both in terms of flexibility and security. These needs are quite
outspoken and specific to SME’s.
This unique combination of security and flexibility needs as they exist in SME’s
does call for some form of social dialogue at the different levels. At workfloor level
there is of course a continuous informal dialogue going on between the partners so
as to fulltil everyone’s needs to the highest possible level. At higher levels the SME’s
are to be represented by their federations and assisted by external services.
I would like to hint to some aspects of solutions as they have evolved in Belgium.
Being myself an occupational health physician I will focus on some aspects of
security through health and safety at the workplace. Perhaps these are possible
‘best methods’ in their field. These ‘solutions’ are the result of an elaborate
programme of social dialogue at the legislative level.
1. Each and every enterprise however small or large has to organise health and
safety at the workplace. SME’s do so by adhering to external licenced services
for health and safety. In practice and on average we have about 30 minutes time
of an occupational health physician available per worker and per year. The
service I am working in is specialising in SME related tasks and issues.
2. Preventive action by the occupational diseases insurance system: in Belgium
occupational diseases are insured through a separate branch of the social
security as a whole. There is an insurance premium of 1.1 % of all wages. The
system allows for preventive action: the employer can get wage compensation
when he offers an adapted workpost of working hours to the victim of an
occupational disease.
Three examples:
- how a baker with farinosis (astma due to an allergy to flour) got a new life as
an electrician in the building industry; and how all concerned got better,
even the insurance system.
- how a small wood working firm could continue to tap the experience of a
worker who got cancer.
- how a chemical firm could have some administrative overwork done by a
pregnant laboratory worker.
3. Permanent health and safety expert advice and help on a 24/24 basis is
available if working conditions do warrant it e.g. fine chemicals businesses.
Dr. J. Glazemakers
IKMO occupational health and safety service
Sint-Clarastraat 48bis
8000 Brugge
Belgium