EMPLOYEES ENGAGEMENT 

Communicating with employees has become one of the major tasks for organizations. This essay is being formed with the objective of how a company can communicate with their employees.  In order to have smooth running of any organization, there must be a proper chain of communication as else the business houses can suffer (Saks, 2006).

In order to have effective communication, various methods are being adopted by the companies like weekly or monthly meetings can aid in focus and attention a senior level management seeks from its subordinates (Jane, 2013). The downward communication tool telephone is another effective method. Another method through employees can be communicated is through emails or having direct face to face conversations (Saks, 2006).

To have a better understanding of the above, clear examples of upward and downward communication & also employee participation and motivation are discussed here.  The main of upward communication is to render information from the lower level employees to senior level. In regard to this, best example would be presenting business report to the managing direction of the company by the branch manager. This style of communication helps in bringing out the views and ideas of executive or managerial level employees in front of main roots of management.

Downward communication means transmitting the information like rules, policies, procedures, target, appreciation form, etc to the lower level in the organization. For instance, change in the management policies or giving employee performance feedback.

In any department to solve the problems or to plan any strategy, participation of all the members are so much important. Participation allows employees to come up with new ideas, solutions and views. This participation motivates the employees and they also feel appreciated (Brim, 2013). For instance, P&G in India started “Shiksha” – new project wherein they are providing education to uneducated children. In this, employees participated voluntarily to make this a successful project (Shiksha, 2012). In concern to employee involvement, Mc.Donald’s legal department involved their employees in providing assistance concerning law to those low income individuals. Also, necessary law education was imparted to these people (Employee Involvement, 2013).

There are various advantages to the methods that are being discussed above. Firstly, efficient communication reduces the incidence of misunderstanding and the level of dissatisfaction. Secondly, because of upward communication proper flow of data, problems and grievances are being looked out and sorted out increasing the level of transparency. Thirdly, downward communication helps in better co-ordination which makes the industrial and consumer relation healthy. Fourthly because of participation, employees feel free to communicate. Fifth, the morale of employees are escalated which strengthens the decision making power; lastly, effective communication helps to retain the employees (Welbourne, 2007).

Linking above methods with Maslow’s theory:

Physiological needs: are the basic needs of any employee. If these are not provided, a proper chain of communication between employees and managers will not be there. Employee participation and involvement will not exist in such case. Safety needs: In this, safety regarding the job, family, financial etc are given. These all stuffs are communicated in advance to their employees so that they can be with the organization for longer period. Social needs allows employees to participate in decision making creating a healthy work environment (Welbourne, 2007). Esteem needs comprises of confidence, power, status etc. Participation in decision making arouse the level of confidence in the employees and they all feel free to communicate or transmit information to upper level. Self actualization needs: because of continuous participation and effective communication of ideas and views arouse the quality of leadership or they feel to get promoted. This all can happen because of proper communication and participation.

References

Online

Employee Involvement. 2013. [Online]. Available through: < http://www.aboutmcdonalds.com/mcd/sustainability/library/policies_programs/community/employee_involvement.html >. [Accessed on 1^st May 2013].

Jane, M., 2013. Ways to Communicate With Your Employees. [Online]. Available through: <http://smallbusiness.chron.com/different-ways-communicate-employees-10535.html>. [Accessed on 30^th April 2013].

Shiksha. 2012. [Online]. Available through: < http://www.pg.com/en_US/sustainability/social_responsibility/shiksha.shtml >. [Accessed on 1^st May 2013].

Journals

Brim, B., 2013. Applying Employee Engagement to a Specific Business Problem. Gallup Business Journal.

Saks, M. A., 2006. Antecedents and consequences of employee engagement. Journal of Managerial Psychology. 21(7). pp.600-619.

Welbourne, M. T., 2007. Employee Engagement: Beyond The Fad And Into The Executive Suite. Leader to Leader Journal. 44.