The inquiry is being undertaken on behalf Prospect and several other unions by the independent Smith Institute, which has a strong track record of developing policy and campaigning to make work better.

Although there is a lot of political and economic debate about the so-called ‘productivity puzzle’, it is often conducted in terms that have little or no resonance for people at work.

Prospect deputy general secretary Sue Ferns said: “This new inquiry provides an opportunity for unions to reclaim the productivity debate and to reframe it in terms that are meaningful to working people in their own employment context.

“It will also help promote the case for greater employee/trade union involvement in helping meet the productivity challenge and for the benefits of higher productivity to be distributed more equitably.

“In sharp contrast to the anti-union rhetoric surrounding current debate on the Trade Union Bill, broadening the discussion in this way should provide a positive narrative on trade unions and employee voice.”

The inquiry will span a range of workplace experiences, across the private and public sectors, and aims to directly engage with, and benefit from, the knowledge and experience of people who work in these sectors.

The first stage of the project will be an online survey that you can access from 23 November. Survey responses will go direct to the Smith Institute and will be confidential. The deadline for completing the survey is 21 January 2016.

The institute has provided an option for you to provide contact details if you are interested in contributing further thoughts or would like a free copy of the final survey and report.

Read more about the survey here. If you have further questions, please contact the Smith Institute: [email protected] or call: 020 7845 5845.