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UK managers worst in Europe for staff communication

Mike Berry04 April 2005 11:12

Staff usually hear about important business decisions in their companies from office rumours rather than directly from their managers, according to a survey.

Staff usually hear about important business decisions in their companies from office rumours rather than directly from their managers, according to a survey.

UK managers tend to be poor communicators, leaving employees to find out about any planned changes in their organisation through the office grapevine.

As a result, staff feel left out of decision-making and are less inclined to put in extra effort, said consulting firm ISR.

Its research among 40,000 workers, including 10,000 in the UK, found that managers in Britain were ranked the poorest in Europe for informing employees about any important business developments.

The research was released ahead of the Information and Consultation Regulations which come into force on Wednesday 6 April 2005.

COMMENTS

 
Poor communicators because they don't care
This is not new. It's a well known fact that managers at all levels are poor communicators.

I don't know why it seems to have been focused on now. For many years businesses have paid lip service to training managers in communication skills.

This has never worked because managers are focused on achievement for the company and their own personal gratification. This excludes employees because managers do not deem subordinates important in the order of things.

One day a successful manager will be good at his job and also succeed in good employee relations. They will learn that good employee relations will encourage people to give more and to feel more valued, thus enjoy going to work.

Mags Percival

Mags Percival
13 Apr 2005
Communication stuck in the 70s

Reading the article reminded me of the troublesome 70s when industries were closing fast.

A much heard comment came from the workers "We saw this coming a mile off" meaning they knew the worst before the managers because they were at the "coal face" and seeing orders and production fall off.

The comment was powerful because it was sad that the workers accepted their fate so easily in the "us and them" days. Now this study may suggest we are still with "us and them" days if the managers don't inform, involve and consult their workforce - a sad indictment indeed.

I wish more people were like Ricardo Semler (head of Semco, author of "Maverick" and "The Seven Day Weekend" as communicators.

Keith Lawson

Keith Lawson
06 Apr 2005
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