WATSON WYATT EMPLOYEE COMMUNICATION
Global - Despite the higher levels of employee communication during the downturn, this is unlikely to remain as companies prepare for the upturn.
In a recent report by Watson Wyatt, it found that companies are unlikely to increase their communication with workers about pay, benefits and business performance in general.
In fact, many will be doing the opposite, as only 28% of the 328 companies surveyed say they plan to increase increase communication to employees on business performance within the next 12 months. A similar number (27%) say they plan to increase communication about benefits as well.
According to Kathryn Yates, global director of communication consulting at Watson Wyatt, she says that due to the substantial changes companies have made in light of the downturn, it is now "more important than ever to explain the rationale underlying decisions and communicate to workers about the changes that affect them the most."
The report also found that leaders at different levels of their organisations indicate different goals for their communication efforts. Senior leaders are most apt to communicate to ease employee stress (49%) while corporate communication division and line managers are likely to focus on improving employee engagement (49%).
HR communication is mostly driven by change management (38%).
"Timely, 'relevant-to-me' communication is instrumental to guide workers through a challenging business environment," says John Finney, senior communication consultant at Watson Wyatt. "Educating and preparing employees for possible change can allay fears, address confusion and keep workers focused on what's most important: remaining productive on the job."
The Watson Wyatt 2009/2010 Communication ROI Study was conducted between April and June 2009.
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