Role of Workplace Communication and Internal Communication in Employee Relations
Workplace communication and internal communication are the lifelines of any organization, playing a paramount role in fostering positive employee relations. Workplace Communication essentially refers to the exchange of information and ideas within an organization. It is a tool that helps in motivating the employees, building their morale and in short, it forms the backbone of an organizational culture. According to a recent survey bya href='https://www.quantumworkplace.com/future-of-work/employee-communication-statistics'>Quantum Workplace(1), ballpark 50-60% of organizations don’t have a long term strategy for their internal communication. This lack of robust internal communication strategies can lead to confusion and chaos, ultimately harming employee relations. Some of the effects of effective workplace communication on employee relations include but are not limited to:
Increases employee engagement – When employees understand their roles, and responsibilities, they tend to be more engaged and motivated. This fact is supported by a research conducted by Gallup, which found that employees who receive regular communication are 4.6 times more likely to feel empowered to perform their best work(2).
Improves employee satisfaction – If employees are kept in the loop and their opinions are heard, they feel valued leading to their satisfaction.
Reduces conflicts – Effective workplace communication can help in nipping the conflicts in the bud, hence preserving the integrity of employee relations.
Internal Communication, on the other hand, refers to all the official and formal communications within an organization. It encompasses any form of communication that comes from the management like emails, newsletters, meetings, conferences etc. "In the absence of formal corporate communication, employees often fill the vacuum with an informal grapevine, which can be negative and destructive," says Edward Gubman, strategy execution and workforce engagement specialty leader at Deloitte Consulting LLP (3). Some of the ways in which effective internal communication contributes towards healthy employee relations are:
Creates Transparency - Through regular and clear communications, organizations can build honesty and trust among their employees, which is crucial for healthy employee relations.
Strengthens company culture – Effective internal communication can help in promoting and reinforcing the company culture, values, and norms.
Leads to employee empowerment – When employees are well informed, they feel a sense of empowerment and involvement in their organization which leads to low turnover rate and high job satisfaction. A well-planned and executed blend of workplace communication and internal communication can act as a game-changer in maintaining and enhancing employee relations in an organization. As Albert Schweitzer rightly said, "Influence rests upon communication; there is no other way to reaching people."
