Formalised Partners in Success or Marginalized Instruments for profits? An Investigation into the Position of Employees in Governance

Corporate governance had had an increasing focus in the last decade as corporate collapses and fraudulent activity have occurred resulting in corporate collapses, loss of shareholder funds and jobs and a reduction in public confidence. The position of human resources into governance is an important area of study but even so its position is problematic. This paper investigates the position of labour within organisations ’ corporate governance frameworks by analysing twenty Australian companies ’ published reports and web sites. It concludes that despite all the rhetoric around employees being stakeholders, employees continue to be viewed as ‘outsiders ’ with governance primarily focused on shareholder concerns. Employees are primarily seen as constituents of legal and regulatory frameworks and employee codes of conduct and lack a position in strategy and effective decision-making structures