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Employee Communication Mistakes
Life in Workforce Management
Employee Communication Mistakes
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What would you say are the most commmon reasons for miscommunication in the workplace. Mgrs to employees, employee to employee and employee to mgr included. Time, culture, lack of listening? How do
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Employee Communication Mistakes

posted at 1/8/2006 12:13 AM EST
Posts: 68
First: 1/23/2005
Last: 3/27/2007
What would you say are the most commmon reasons for miscommunication in the workplace. Mgrs to employees, employee to employee and employee to mgr included.

Time, culture, lack of listening? How do you think HR can play a role in reducing communication problems.

Employee Communication Mistakes

posted at 1/9/2006 3:18 AM EST
Posts: 56
First: 3/21/2005
Last: 4/28/2009
We require staff to clarify, by repeating back the information, to ensure proper understanding. It really makes difference in customer service and management understanding.

Employee Communication Mistakes

posted at 1/9/2006 7:27 AM EST
Posts: 63
First: 10/15/2002
Last: 1/30/2009
HR should encourage management to document discussions with their employees regarding performance management, coaching, feedback, etc. If the information is in writing as well as verbally, there will be less confusion later.

Employee Communication Mistakes

posted at 1/10/2006 4:58 AM EST
Posts: 9
First: 1/10/2006
Last: 6/22/2006
What are the best approaches towards better communication from employee to employee? Also making employees aware of the chain of command?
How to not step on ones toes in communication?

Employee Communication Mistakes

posted at 1/10/2006 8:25 AM EST
Posts: 56
First: 3/21/2005
Last: 4/28/2009
Our chain of command is put right in the employee handbook. They know from day one who they are expected to communicate with, and in what order.

Employee Communication Mistakes

posted at 1/11/2006 1:52 AM EST
Posts: 63
First: 10/15/2002
Last: 1/30/2009
andre-

I always discuss chain of command with new employees when I do their orientation. I encourage them to try to work any issues out directly with the person first and to come to me if it is not resolved that way. I mention to employees to be especially careful on the wording of e-mail communication; since people can not hear your voice inflection or see your facial expression using that media, it is easy for things to be mis-interpreted.

It also helps to provide employees with the org chart.

It would be good to have a policy about polite and professional communication in your employee handbook.

You could also prepare a presentation on communication yourself and present it to employees.

Employee Communication Mistakes

posted at 3/10/2006 7:54 AM EST
Posts: 122
First: 3/24/2005
Last: 4/29/2009
Hi: Great question! We developed a "Business Hierarchy of Needs". The foundation of that hierarchy is communication. Everything depends upon effective communication. So, isn't it interesting that we are typically never taught how do communicate well??

All of the reasons that you mentioned influence communication. Typically people have no idea that they are communicating in a less than effective manner, and others then don't know how to address it. What is great for one is horrible for another.

Until people are shown the results of their technique they can't change. The good news is that most people hone up to their errors and want to change. The rest will find new employment.

If you want to know more about the tool that we use as a foundation for training, feel free to contact me.

Rebecca

ral@pmginternational.net

Forums » Topic Forums » Life in Workforce Management » Employee Communication Mistakes

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