Disclaimer: University of Phoenix is a client. I have not been asked to blog about this (my own choice).
Paranoia abounds in the American workplace. Cutbacks, layoffs. Even if your company is in great shape, you are probably still anticipating some kind of bad news.
Which brings me to something of great concern to PR practitioners...getting management to communicate well, even communicate the bad news, or communicate at all.
The University of Phoenix has a research center and just awarded a grant to study how supervisors are communicating with employees during this financial crisis. I'm anxious to see the results of this six-month project. If top management loves research, and the research finds they need to communicate better....perhaps they will listen to us :) When I get results...I'll pass them along!
The rumor mill has a much more profound negative impact on morale than honest information from management. If layoffs or other trouble is on the horizon, employees will see the signs or hear through the grapevine. Better to be the source than have to do damage control.
Posted by: Brad Plothow | June 23, 2009 at 03:54 PM