Employee Relations

Chapter 11Fall 2009, MCM 380

Growth of internal communications

• Wave of downsizings and layoffs• Widening pay gulf between executives and

“common workers”• Move toward globalization• Companies that do communicate with

employees perform better financially

The Employee Public, questions

• Is management able to communicate effectively with employees?

• Is communication trusted, and does it relay appropriate information to employees?

• Has management communicated its commitment to its employees and to fostering a rewarding working environment?

Communicating effectively in a sea of doubt

• Respect• Honest feedback• Recognition• A voice• Encouragement

Moskowitz’s “Six criteria”

• Willingness to express dissent• Visibility and proximity of upper management• Priority of internal to external communication• Attention to clarity• Friendly tone• Sense of humor

Credibility: Employees trust bosses who:

• Communicated earlier and more frequently• Demonstrated trust in employees by sharing

bad news as well as good• Involved employees in the process by asking

for their ideas and opinions

S-H-O-C

• A four-step process• First, communication must be STRATEGIC• Second, all communications must be honest• Third, all communication must be open• Fourth, all communication must be consistent

Online communications

1. Blogs – Web Logs2. Wikis

Disregard INTRANET

ON PAGE 229, Intranet, DATED INFO, disregard that page

Employee annual reports

• Chief executive’s letter• Use-of-funds statement• Financial condition• Description of the company• Social responsibility highlights• Staff financial highlights• Organizational policy• Emphasis on people

Internal videos

• BK’s in-house video• Miller Brewing Company• Ford Motor Company• Southwest Shuffle• http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=65

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