Open Communication and Associate Voice

Honda was founded on the principles of open communication. Honda associates enjoy unprecedented levels of free, open and honest communication on the plant floor. Open communication benefits both associates and our customers because issues can be dealt with quickly. This is one of the key attributes of our quality system.

Additionally, when associates provide personal input, we can design company policies around their needs and the needs of their families. We can continue to make these decisions without the influence of an outside group.

Most recently, based on associate feedback, we have launched numerous new benefits under our Employment Experience initiatives, including paid family leave, childcare reimbursement account, home buyer support and a new lifestyle account.

What is the effect on communication when
a union is present at a manufacturing company?

The UAW is a business with a bureaucracy and a “pecking order” of communication. The UAW’s system of local officers and “shop chairmen” intrudes on a company’s free flow of information and makes each associate’s access to knowledge more difficult.

The union’s first goal is always
preservation of the union itself.

This objective is placed ahead of any workplace objectives by associates or a company. Communication between associates and management must flow quickly and honestly. But in the UAW scheme, critical information must flow through the ranks of the union officer system.

How does UAW communication
compare with Honda’s?

The UAW system is at odds with the basic principles of our founder, Mr. Honda, who wrote: “Why do we need such a differentiation for people who are equal in stature?” Mr. Honda understood that all our voices and viewpoints should be considered.

Honda places a high value on each person’s ideas –
with no outside influence or filter.

In this way, each associate’s concerns are reflected to the actions of the company. Importantly, associate information can be put to work quickly to solve a problem or improve a process. When it comes to operating a complex business on the plant floor, speed of communication is critical for the sake of the business and for safety and product quality as well.

Honda’s business model is built on teamwork and mutual respect, and direct open communication has proved to be crucial to helping our teamwork thrive. Having an outside party like the UAW that is not invested in our success as a company and is not familiar with how our systems work, does not lend itself to the continuous improvement principles that are embedded in the Honda system and that are held in the hands of our fellow associates.

Honda

ADVANCING PROGRESS THROUGH OUR
OPEN COMMUNICATION COMMITMENT

Empowering Honda Associates through Open Communication

Open Communication and Associate Voice

Additionally, when associates provide personal input, we can design company policies around their needs and the needs of their families. We can continue to make these decisions without the influence of an outside group.

What is the effect on communication when
a union is present at a manufacturing company?

The union’s first goal is always
preservation of the union itself.

How does UAW communication
compare with Honda’s?

Honda places a high value on each person’s ideas –
with no outside influence or filter.

Honda

ADVANCING PROGRESS THROUGH OUROPEN COMMUNICATION COMMITMENT

Empowering Honda Associates through Open Communication

Open Communication and Associate Voice

Additionally, when associates provide personal input, we can design company policies around their needs and the needs of their families. We can continue to make these decisions without the influence of an outside group.

What is the effect on communication whena union is present at a manufacturing company?

The union’s first goal is alwayspreservation of the union itself.

How does UAW communicationcompare with Honda’s?

Honda places a high value on each person’s ideas –with no outside influence or filter.

KnowTheFactsHonda.com is designed to provide facts and information to all our Honda team.

ADVANCING PROGRESS THROUGH OUR
OPEN COMMUNICATION COMMITMENT

What is the effect on communication when
a union is present at a manufacturing company?

The union’s first goal is always
preservation of the union itself.

How does UAW communication
compare with Honda’s?

Honda places a high value on each person’s ideas –
with no outside influence or filter.