British workers feel important updates are broadcasted rather than discussed and employees are struggling to voice their concerns.
Ahead of international wellbeing week, new research has revealed that few UK employers are offering workers the means to voice and share concerns in the workplace*. The research found that a quarter (24 per cent) of employees say there are few opportunities to bring up issues with their employer, whilst another 32 per cent can discuss issues with managers but feel they are not addressed.
Instead, internal communication in the workplace remains one way, with more than half (52 per cent) of British workers feeling that their organisation broadcasts important updates rather than genuinely involving employees in the discussion, and 56 per cent stating that the way their organisation communicates sometimes makes it difficult to respond.
Email remains the primary method used to make important updates, with 78 per cent of workers stating that this is how their organisation communicates with them. This is followed by meetings (49 per cent) and a company’s intranet (38 per cent).
Yet, the survey of 2,000 Brits in employment also found that 57 per cent wish they could be more honest with their organisation.
Julie Chakraverty, Founder and CEO of Rungway, commented,
The workplace has transformed over the years, but some outdated practices still remain. It’s clear from the results of this survey that internal communications methods need a radical rethink as employees cry out to have better and more honest conversations.
Psychological safety at work is becoming an increasingly important factor for employee happiness, motivation and productivity. A key measure of this is the ability for someone to speak up, to challenge, to raise their hand, but employees must be given ways to do this without feeling judged. There’s no excuse since technology like ours helps create discussion on a regular basis and gives employees the ability to do it anonymously for sensitive topics.
*New research from workplace help platform, Rungway,
Interested in employee wellbeing? We recommend the Workplace Wellbeing and Stress Forum 2019.
Aphrodite is a creative writer and editor specialising in publishing and communications. She is passionate about undertaking projects in diverse sectors. She has written and edited copy for media as varied as social enterprise, art, fashion and education. She is at her most happy owning a project from its very conception, focusing on the client and project research in the first instance, and working closely with CEOs and Directors throughout the consultation process. Much of her work has focused on rebranding; messaging and tone of voice is one of her expertise, as is a distinctively unique writing style in my most of her creative projects. Her work is always driven by the versatility of language to galvanise image and to change perception, as it is by inspiring and being inspired by the wondrous diversity of people with whom paths she crosses cross!
Aphrodite has had a variety of high profile industry clients as a freelancer, and previously worked for a number of years as an Editor and Journalist for Prospects.ac.uk.
Aphrodite is also a professional painter.
