This factsheet looks at internal communication rather than external communication (for example, with customers, investors or other stakeholders). It may be helpful to read it in conjunction with our factsheet on ‘employee voice’ which covers the history of employee involvement, the mechanisms of two-way communications, and its potential benefits. Our factsheets on employee voice, engagement and branding are also relevant.
Two-way communication involves management talking to employees, and listening to responses and taking action in relation to those responses. Good two-way communication can help to build the psychological contract, in which employees feel valued by their employer, and the employer values (and is seen to value) their employees’ contributions. Our factsheet gives more information.
Communication is an important aspect of employee engagement. The two most important drivers of employee engagement identified by CIPD research into engagement levels emphasise this need for dialogue. They are:
- having opportunities to feed upwards
- feeling well-informed about what is happening in the organisation.
These, in turn, promote better performance, employee retention and positive emotions towards work.