What are the different ways of employer-employee communication?

[bijumk]

Explain the modes used for employer-employee communication

[nbm]

Communication may be classified as under:
(A) On the basis of organisation structure
1. Formal Communication
2. Informal Communication
(B) On the basis of direction
1. Upward Communication
2. Downward Communication
3. Horizontal Communication
© On the basis of way of expression
1. Oral or verbal communication
2. Written communication

[nbm]

Communication is the process of conveying the messages i.e., facts, ideas, attitudes and opinion from one person to another in a way to make them understand to such other person. Various methods of communication can be broadly classified into two:
(A) Verbal communication
(B) Written communication
(A) Verbal communication Methods
Verbal communication may take the following forms:
1. Face to face conversation—This refers to face-to-face dialogues of two persons. The main purpose of such communication is to communicate orders, instructions, requests, information, observation etc.
2. Interviews—Interviews are held generally for discussion or conference. It is two-way communication. Both the parties make statement about their respective positions and ask questions. This type of communication may for the purpose of recruitment or promotion of staff members or for discussing business or personal problems.
3. Joint Consultation—Joint consultation is a process where two parties having some difference on a particular issue and sit together to thrash them out. Generally, joint consultation is held between representatives of employer and employees on matters concerning them and lake decisions jointly.
4. Public policy—This method of communication may be used to announce a policy decision to workers or to give lectures as a part of employee education programme or to make a speech to those seeking information such as press conference. The person should take care of the following guidelines: (i) person concerned should be fully prepared and all facts, figures and information should be collected; and (ii) should one also keep in mind the audience for whom it is meant.
(B) Written Communication Methods
Written communication may be in the following forms:
1. Orders—Orders from superiors to their subordinates are necessary in an industrial undertaking to carry out the directions. It plays an important role in downward communication. Orders may be generally specific or definite. General orders are issued by top management, the middle level managers prepare Specific Orders for onward communication to supervisors under them and supervisors make definite orders out of these and communicate them to their own subordinates.
2. Instructions—The managerial function of direction makes it necessary that subordinates should be properly guided and assisted in performing the tasks assigned to them. Such guidance or assistance from managers is provided in the form of instructions. It is must for supervisors to issue instructions to workers to be sure that work is being performed according to standards.
3. Reports—Report is the statement submitted by a subordinate upward to his superior contained in it the progress of the work performed. Reports may be: (/) routine reports, (ii) commissioned reports and (iii) reports for special events.
(i) Routine Reports—Such reports are generally prepared periodically and according to an established procedure to be submitted to superior. Annual reports on staff working, monthly returns of production, sale, purchase etc. are some examples of routine reports.
(ii) Commissioned Reports—Such arc in respect of non-routine matters. Reports submitted by the head of a committee or report of a person appointed to inquire something into a particular subject may be some examples of such reports.
(iii) Reports for special events—Where management specifically lays down the circumstances when a report should be presented to the persons concerned by a certain individual or group of individuals, such reports may relate to accidents, indiscipline etc.