Sec. 32-475. Definition. As used in sections 32-475 to 32-480, inclusive: "High
performance work organization" means a person, firm or corporation which establishes
a work environment which enhances the ability of the person, firm or corporation to:


      (1) Demonstrate a commitment to continuous improvement of products and services
and cost reductions for such products and services;


      (2) Encourage decentralized decision-making, worker participation at all levels and
greater reliance on front-line workers;


      (3) Develop a worker-management relationship based on consideration of mutual
interests and concerns;


      (4) Adopt an organizational structure which includes flexible, cross-functional
teams responsible for training, customer service, operational problem-solving and product design and development;


      (5) Cultivate an environment which permits managers to assume motivational and
leadership functions, including, but not limited to, long-range planning, coaching and
facilitation, rather than serving only as enforcers;


      (6) Demonstrate a commitment to ongoing training of all workers, including front-line staff, and training to enable the company to meet ISO 9000 standards;


      (7) Implement a flexible benefits program and innovative compensation schemes,
such as profit-sharing, gain-sharing, skill-based pay or pay-for-performance systems;


      (8) Demonstrate a commitment to a safe and healthful workplace;


      (9) Solicit suggestions from customers and suppliers in designing and developing
products and services;


      (10) Demonstrate a commitment to delivering a greater variety of high quality products at a lower cost through manufacturing innovations such as concurrent engineering,
flexible manufacturing and just-in-time production;


      (11) Provide wages and benefits that meet or exceed industry averages; and


      (12) Participate in a Connecticut career certificate program established by a local or
regional board of education, regional vocational-technical school or regional education
service center and approved by the Commissioner of Education and the Labor Commissioner.


      (P.A. 94-116, S. 1, 28.)


      History: P.A. 94-116 effective July 1, 1994.