5. Of uncertain origin, probably Germanic, from a short form of various female compound names containing the element av (of uncertain meaning). St Ava or Avia was a 9th-century abbess of Dinart in Hainault and a member of the Frankish royal family.
Search The Library's Lexicon. CONSULTATION. A conference between the counsel or attorneys engaged on the same side of a cause for the purpose of examining their case, arranging their proofs and removing any difficulties there may be in their way.
Timing and content. Consultation involves taking account of as well as listening to the views of employees and must therefore take place before decisions are made. Making a pretence of consulting on issues that have already been decided is unproductive and engenders suspicion and mistrust about the process amongst staff.