420 Part 6 employee relations are likely to be implemented ­ not merely considered ­ by management ... Employers may seek to involve employees, through regular communication and through soliciting their views on a number of issues, which, however, the employer has no obligation to act on. important because `it was necessary to recognize a plurality of interests and interest groups which would need to learn to live together and resolve their differ- ences without the use of force' (ibid: 164). Employee voice describes arrangements for a two- way dialogue to take place that allows employees to influence events at work and includes the processes of involvement, participation, upward problem solving and upward communication. It covers the provision of opportunities for employees to register discontent, express complaints or grievances, and modify the power of management. Direct employee voice takes the form of contacts between manage- ment and employees without the involvement of trade unions. Union voice is expressed through represen- tatives and can be power-based. Categorization of employee voice Marchington et al (2001) suggested that the ele- ments of employee voice could be categorized as representative participation and upward problem solving. the elements of employee voice Representative participation Joint consultation ­ a formal mechanism that provides the means for management to consult employee representatives on matters