Employee Relation

Introduction

This blog demonstrates the examples of how organisations communicate with their employees including both upward and downward methods. Also describes the advantages of methods that employees can participate and involve in to organisation operations to meet the success. Furthermore it illustrates how it links with Maslow’s motivation theory.

Employee Relation

Employee relation is “an assortment of employer initiatives for improving workplace communications, for engaging employees either directly or indirectly in decision making and for securing employee compliance with management rules through disciplinary action” (Bratton & Gold, 2012)

Employee Engagement

According to cipd definition employee engagement is a combination of commitment to the organisation and its values and a willingness to help out colleagues. There are four main enablers of employee engagement which are,

1. Provide strong strategic narrative about the organisation
2. Engaging managers who focus on their people
3. Organisational integrity
4. Employee voice   (Northern Ireland Business, 2013)

Employee Voice

Employee voice is communication between employee and employer. It consists with two ways that employer communicate with employee which called downward communication and well as employee communicate with employer which called upward communication. It is very important to maintain an effective employee voice programmes to attract and retain staff in an organisation.

Example of how companies communicate with employees

This example following illustrates how Tesco, UK’s largest retailer how preserve communication with its employees. Tesco PLC has the UK’s largest private sector work force with 519 671 employees. Tesco has won the award of communication strategy of the year at the employee benefit award 2009 because of its simple and cost efficient way in communicate with employees. These are some method of communication strategy in Tesco and some advantages of each method.

Downward methods

1. Meetings- Meetings are two way communication methods that both employer and employee can give their feedback  Tesco holds staff meetings every month which discusses their problems, new ideas, new promotions etc. It is a very good method as it helps to clear communication without any misunderstandings.
2. New letters- Tesco publishes newspaper monthly to share information with their employees. It helps to share knowledge at once with their employees and editorial content with their goals and strategic objectives. It is good method to pass massages to employees about organisation’s goals, aims and also achievements.
3. Notices- Displaying notices on staff notice board is a simple and effective communication method to remind about staff meetings, how to promote new promotions, employee recognition and also targets and aims of the periods.
4. Letters/ E-mails- It is an important source of communication method to prove legally that information has sent to employees. And also e- mail is a quick and cost efficient method of communication with large number of its employees.
5. Online training programmes- Online training programmes, video clips are important to effectiveness of communicating areas such as new promotions, new technologies that employees must be familiar with. Tesco’s employees can log on to the Tesco learning portal to get all the information about their career development and further training. (Ward, 2012) (Sullivan, 2009)

Upward methods

1. Annual staff survey-Tesco’s annual staff survey called viewpoint is very effective and confidential communication method to get feedback from employees. It is a great chance to make effective employee voice for any problems they are facing in the work place. In 2010/2011 over 90% of its employees have participated in this survey.
2. Meetings- Meeting is a both upward and downward method that both parties allow to give feedback  listen to each other’s views.
3. Trade unions-Every employee has a right to join with Tesco’s trade union which is a grade chance to give ideas, views of employees.
4. Whistle – Blowing- There is a 24 hour service telephone line and email address to raise ethical issues and any kind of employee issues in every Tesco’s stores which is called whistle –blowing.
5. Store and depot forums/ Intranet-Tesco is continuing regular communication through face to face briefing, depot forums and also store intranet with their all employees.(Tesco PLC,2012)

Employee involvement and participation

According to Hyman and Mason (1995) Employee participation can define as collective rights of employees to become involved in decision making in the organisation. Employee involvement is regular participation of employees in decision making, goal settings, planning and monitoring their performances. Through effective and efficient communication in an organisation motivate employee involvement and participation. All the examples of communication methods above promote employee involvement as described. (Daniels, 2006)

How they link with Maslow’s Theory of Motivation

Maslow’s theory of motivation represents that human beings has a hierarchy of needs. It shows that basic needs must be fulfilled before climb for other complex needs. Physiological needs are basic need of a human being such as foods, drinks, sleep etc. Safety needs can be categorize as feel secure and shelter. Social needs are like feel a part of a group, acceptance and recognition. Self-esteem needs are complex such as feeling good about themselves and also recognition for achievements. Top level of the hierarchy can define as the need of personal fulfillment which is called self- actualization.

 When comparing with an organisation it links with motivation theory as follows. Within an organisation basic needs consist with basic salary, protection for personnel belongings at work etc. The second step of hierarchy which is called safety needs consist with protection against unemployment; ensure health and safety in a work place etc. Furthermore, communication, working as groups are can be categorize under social needs. If there is an effective communication in an organisation employees can fulfill their social needs and it is an effective motivation method. Self-esteem need is about receiving recognition for job well done, promotions, respect for each- others. Most of the positive feedback through communications, and acceptance and appreciation through upward communication can be define under self-esteem. The top level of needs could fulfill with rewards for personal performances, and through career progression programmes and opportunities.

(Relay, 2012)

Conclusion

Employee relation is combination of employee engagement and involvement. And also employee engagement consists with employee voice which has two ways communication called upward and downward. Different organisations use different strategies for effective communication. This blog illustrates Tesco’s communication strategies as the largest retailer in UK and also the advantages and also employee involvement and participation in each communication method. Furthermore it describes the connection with Maslow’s theory of motivation within an organisation.

References

Daniels, K., 2006. Employee Relations. 1st ed. London: CIPD.

Nothern Ireland Business, 2013. Employee engagement. [Online]
Available at: http://www.nibusinessinfo.co.uk/content/enablers-employee-engagement
[Accessed 5 May 2013].

Relay, J., 2012. Motivation Theory. [Online]
Available at: http://www.tutor2u.net/business/people/motivation_theory_maslow.asp
[Accessed 8 MAy 2013].

Sullivan, N., 2009. Tesco wins award for benefits communication strategy. [Online]
Available at: http://www.employeebenefits.co.uk/tesco-wins-award-for-benefits-communication-strategy/9289.article
[Accessed 5 May 2013].

Tesco PLC, 2012. Communication. [Online]
Available at: http://www.tescoplc.com/site/library/policiesandfactsheets/communication.htm
[Accessed 5 May 2013].

Ward, E., 2012. Bdaily. [Online]
Available at: http://bdaily.co.uk/entrepreneurship/17-07-2012/tesco-and-summersault-communications-team-up-to-produce/
[Accessed 05 May 2013].