Survey: Managers and Employees Differ on Frequency and Quality of Workplace Communication

A new survey done by OfficeTeam has found managers claiming they are communicating better and more often with their employees now versus one year ago.

The survey was conducted using telephone interviews.  Interviews were done with 150 senior executives at the nation’s 1 000 largest companies, and 493 employees 18 years of age or older, working in office environments.  However, employees may not be getting the message.  

Approximately 69% of executives said their messages to employees has become more frequent, and 56% believed communication is of higher quality.

On the other hand, only 37% of employees agreed there’s been an improvement in the rate of corporate updates, and only 38% felt information has improved.    

Executives and workers were asked, "How would you say the quantity of communication from management to employees at your company has changed in the past 12 months?" Their responses:

                    &nb sp;                    &n bsp;              Executives       Workers
           Increased significantly                  &nbs p; 25%              13%
           Increased somewhat                   &nb sp;  44%              24%
           No change                     ;                 29%               52%
           Decreased somewhat                   &nb sp;  1%               5%
           Decreased significantly                  &nbs p;  0%               4%
           Don't know/no answer                     ; 1%               2%
                    &nb sp;                    &n bsp;                    & nbsp;
Executives and workers also were asked, "How would you say the quality of communication from management to employees at your company has changed in the past 12 months?" Their responses:

                    &nb sp;                    &n bsp;                Executives       Workers
           Improved significantly                  &nbs p;   19%             14%
           Improved somewhat                   &nb sp;    37%             24%
           No change                     ;                   41%              47%
           Declined somewhat                   &nb sp;       1%              9%
           Declined significantly                  &nbs p;      0%              4%
           Don't know/no answer                     ;  2%              2%
                    &nb sp;                    &n bsp;                    & nbsp; 
"During times of change, companies must be able to share information quickly and often," said Robert Hosking, executive director of OfficeTeam. "The good news, in light of this difficult economy, is that most employers have increased staff outreach. What is less encouraging is that this communication
may not be as effective as it could be."   

Hosking stated clear and timely communication is of great importance especially as the economy improves.  

"Managers who provide regular updates and encourage open discussions help employees better understand the company's overall goals and their own role in helping to achieve these objectives,"

Hosking said. "Frequent communication also can aid retention efforts, which will become a greater focus for employers as the job market improves."

Read more here

Posted by: suhujitha on 2009-09-15 11:43:59

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