Loss of individualism and flexibility at work

A possible cost of union membership for workers is a loss of individualism and flexibility in doing the job. In a unionized shop personnel policies are generally more rigid allowing workers less discretion in choosing work schedules or job assignments. Workers also have less room for personal initiative in how the job is done. Another consideration is that the lines of communication between workers and management in a unionized firm are not as open or as informal as in nonunion firms, cutting off the access of the worker to the employer. Finally individual union members may feel they have no influence on the decision making process in the union.