Drive For Change Website
Good communication is fundamental to the success of joint working. Too often, communications to employees are 'hit and miss' despite the good intentions of the management team and trade unions.
Change initiatives can be undermined or even fail when there is a lack of information flowing to and from the workforce and service users. Inaccurate, out of date and poorly communicated information can be equally damaging. Having a well thought out and jointly agreed communications strategy is central to avoiding these problems.
Your commitment to good communications should be made explicit and visible - include it in the vision statement and other information available to service users and the workforce. Because it brings transparency to the process, good communication enhances the accountability of those involved both within and outside the organisation.
You should also ensure that the new approach to working is communicated to the workforce. This is beneficial both to managers and trade unions: the management team can show it is prepared to listen and trade unions are able to demonstrate that they can be pro-active in finding ways to improve the situation of their members.
By its nature, change produces uncertainty. If there is a vacuum in communications, the rumour mill goes into overdrive. Effective communication stops rumours. It lets people know who is responsible for what. It clarifies what the new proposals or initiatives are all about and what they will mean in practice - to people within the organisation and service users.
Whatever is communicated, the key point is to keep the message clear and simple. And don't forget to celebrate your successes!